We’ve all heard it before: “Great leaders are great listeners.” It’s a common leadership mantra that sounds wise and reassuring. But here’s the hard truth: It’s mostly a myth.
The reality? Most leaders don’t listen—not to their teams, and not even to themselves. They bulldoze through conversations, relying on instinct over input, and hearing only what they want to hear. So, it’s no surprise when their employees disengage, their company culture deteriorates, and their decisions backfire.
The Root of the Problem: Ignoring Yourself
Before leaders fail to listen to others, they’ve already failed to listen to themselves. They ignore red flags, suppress doubts, and push ahead, convinced of their own correctness. Only when reality forces them to stop do they realize their mistakes.
Take the example of a CEO who ignored employee feedback during a major organizational change. Rather than listening to the concerns of the team, they barreled forward with a one-size-fits-all solution, which led to high turnover and low morale. This is a direct result of not pausing to reflect and listen to the early warning signs.
Leadership Isn’t Just About Talking Less
1. Thinking More
True leaders don’t rush to conclusions. They take the time to process information, considering multiple perspectives before making decisions. For instance, before launching a new product, leaders should engage with their teams, customers, and data to understand all aspects of the decision.
2. Reflecting
Great leaders actively reflect on past mistakes. By acknowledging where they’ve gone wrong and learning from those experiences, they build resilience and trust. Take Elon Musk—he famously learned from early mistakes with SpaceX, leading to later successes like the Falcon Heavy launch.
3. Adjusting
Being a flexible leader is critical. New insights and feedback should prompt leaders to pivot when necessary. For example, if a manager receives feedback that their team feels overworked, they should be open to adjusting deadlines or distributing tasks more evenly.
4. Owning Mistakes
True leaders own their mistakes and show accountability. This builds trust and respect within their teams. For instance, Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, has openly admitted to mistakes in his leadership journey, but his transparency helped to transform the company culture.
Why You Must Listen to Yourself First
If leaders can’t listen to their own inner voice—questioning assumptions, reflecting on decisions, and recalibrating based on new information—why should anyone else listen to them?
Great leadership isn’t just about hearing what others say. It’s about being able to listen to yourself, reflect, and adapt your approach when necessary.
At Intandid, we understand that listening to yourself is key to transforming your leadership approach and empowering your teams. If you’re ready to enhance your leadership skills and drive greater impact, reach out to us today.
Let’s explore how we can work together to strengthen your leadership mindset and build a more engaged, high-performing team.
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