Listening isn’t just about hearing the words someone’s saying to you—it’s about proving you value their voice. Listening well builds trust, strengthens relationships, and drives better results on your team. But even strong, well-intentioned leaders fall into these five common listening traps. Here’s how to avoid them.
Haste. Good listening is a demanding task that takes time. Rushing signals disinterest to your team. Set aside focused, distraction-free time for conversations and ask clarifying questions to show you’re engaged.
Defensiveness. It’s natural to feel defensive when someone raises concerns or offers critical feedback, but don’t come to conversations with a reactive mindset. When criticized, pause, reflect, then restate what you heard or ask for more detail before responding.
Invisibility. If you don’t show you’re listening, trust erodes. Use eye contact, nodding, and simple phrases like “I see” to stay visibly engaged. Reflect back key points to confirm your understanding.
Exhaustion. Tired leaders tune out. If your energy is low, set boundaries—for example, by taking a break during an extended conversation—or reschedule.
Inaction. To maintain trust with your team, you need to take action on what you hear. Always close the loop: Recap what you heard, name next steps, and explain what’s feasible and what’s not. |
