The most important leadership habit - what's yours?

• listening while checking your email
• listening while looking at your phone
• listening while thinking about what you’re going to say next
• listening while thinking you already know this or have a better story

It means

• listening with curiosity
• listening with interest
• listening because you care
• listening because you want to listen

A client who was aware of his tendency to do more talking than listening, once came into a session, full of frustration and said to me, “I just have to learn how to listen more than I talk.”

I answered, “That’s easy”

He looked at me as I continued, “just keep your mouth closed.”

He laughed, of course. But it’s true!

Next time you want to speak, Just pause and keep your mouth closed… for as long as it takes.

And then think, is it really important to say this now or should I listen more?

Make this your new habit.

You’re welcome!

So, are you a good listener? How do you know?