MBA Application Leadership Qualities - Listening

The image of a leader that has been conveyed in popular culture is that of someone who is giving orders and is constantly planning something. Contrary to popular images, a big part of being an effective leader is having excellent listening skills.

Engage

Talking to your team members is just one part of communication but listening, and engaging with them is key to building a strong team. The word “Engage” means, “to occupy the attention or efforts of a person”. You cannot do that if you are multitasking or passively listening to the team member while you are planning what to say next or thinking about the next task in the project schedule. You have to give undivided attention to the team member. Remember, if you are leading a big team, it is not easy for someone to come to you and talk to you one on one, unless it is important. Give the benefit of the doubt to the speaker, and listen with your whole body.

Opportunities & Conflicts

Listening with your whole body is a skill that you can develop as a leader. It means - you have to keep all your senses open to interpret what the speaker is conveying. You have to observe the non-verbal, the message behind the words and the tone of the conversation.

Is the speaker angry, enthusiastic, positive, or neutral?

Does the speaker want to resolve a conflict?

Does the speaker want to convey an issue in project implementation?

Does the speaker want to show an opportunity in the project?

With 80% of the words, and non-verbal cues, you will understand the intent of the conversation. But you have to listen with you whole body. Once the conversation is over, understand how you are going to address the concern or utilize the idea suggested by the team member.

Respect

You show respect to the team members by listening and conveying that you have considered the conversation. Once you show that the conversation did not go in vain, the team member will be eager to suggest ideas, or point out problems in project implementation. Not all conversation leads to actions, but by acknowledging the team member’s effort to be involved in the team and communicate with the team leader, you are setting a precedent for team communication.

Too often leaders think that having these kind of one on one conversation is a waste of time. In the short term, many of the conversation will add very little to the project implementation. But by listening, and engaging with the team member, the communication can be short and effective.

Have you shown excellent listening skills when you were managing a team? If you have, then the leadership essay is an excellent space to share how you used your listening skills for the betterment of the team.