When Leaders don't Listen!

When a leader doesn't listen it costs the company greatly.  You and I both know how valuable we feel when we are listened to.  We all have the responsibility to listen and hear what someone is telling us, but leaders have a greater responsibility to do so.  First, adequate and accurate information can only be collected by listening.  Second, the best decisions are made by the leader who has listened to what his or her people are saying. 

Along with these - feeling valuable, getting adequate and accurate information and the impact on decision making - when a leader listens he or she is building energy into the company.  One of the best leaders I know makes it a point to stop what he is doing and give total attention to the person talking to him, no matter who that person is.  He's also learned that listen is not designed to make decisions for people, but to build within them the capacity to decide.  If you intend to have a energetic organization I'd suggest you practice listening. 

Or, as my mother use to say, "There was an old bird that lived in an oak.  The less he heard the more he spoke.  The more he spoke the less he heard.  We have a lot of those kinds of birds.  BUT, there was an old bird that lived in an oak.  The more he heard the less he spoke.  The less he spoke the more he heard.  We need more of those kinds of birds."

Have a great week,

Dr. Bob

   

Comments

[S. Ashley]

Like the blog format. But if you want honest input you're going to have to allow a little more anonymnity. It's amazing what you learn from people when they don't fear retribution.

Kind of like those who will tell their darkest secrets to a stranger but won't tell their spouse.

Keep up the good work!

[R. K. Nichols]

I find it interesting that many of the poorest listeners are the ones who call the most meetings. These meetings are often not about exchanging ideas but about pure theater. The poor listener is so caught up in their performance as "The Leader" that they need to create more opportunities to deliver their act. The best leaders may still call many meeting but they tend to say very little, creating a forum for the exchange of ideas among their subordinates.