Swift to hear, slow to speak
I worked with an incredible group of leaders last week at Ochsner Health System. We were trying to deconstruct effective leadership listening skills.
After much discussion, we realized that the necessary listening skills of organizations today go much further than the old command and control model of just making sure you heard the message correctly and then getting it to the right people.
The new keys to effective listening include:
- Creating a positive, supportive environment—close your computer and put down your phone
- Finding a connection and common ground
- Asking questions to clarify and reflect
- Agreeing on a possible solution
Leadership listening is a two-way interaction that takes time, energy, and interest.