2023 Young Guns Workshop.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nThere is one leadership skill that isn\u2019t often mentioned that truly is a critical one. It\u2019s like it\u2019s a well-kept secret, although I believe it\u2019s more that it is overlooked than intentionally kept quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s the art and the skill of effective listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All too often focus is placed on the charismatic, dynamic and passionate speaker style of a leader. The public figures that come to mind when thinking about leadership. But that\u2019s not what workplace leadership is about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you consider the leadership training that is all around you, much of it focuses on speaking and influencing by speaking. There doesn\u2019t seem to be anything about the powerful skill of listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThink about the leaders who have had the most positive impact on you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe leader who was an effective mentor and coach to you because they understood your goals and objectives \u2013 because they listened to you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n That leader with whom you had an open conversation about your next career move<\/li>\n\n\n\n The leader who helped you through that tough situation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s most likely that they were able to create those environments because you felt heard \u2013 that the leader had listened to you, your concerns and your needs. A sense of trust had been created that encouraged you to speak about what matters most to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your clients will most likely respond in similar ways. Going beyond the transactional nature of professional services happens when clients feel that they have been heard and valued by their advisor. It\u2019s much more than your technical proficiency and certifications – clients want to know that the work being done for them is the right work for them \u2013 not just being done by the smartest person in the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In most cases the leaders who have had the most positive impact on others are not the great speakers \u2013 instead, they are the great listeners. Great listeners are people who:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nListen for and respond to the meaning not only the words said<\/li>\n\n\n\n Enable others to genuinely feel heard<\/li>\n\n\n\n Are respectful and don\u2019t talk over others<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nHere\u2019s a challenge for you \u2013 please think about what you are thinking about the next time you are \u201clistening\u201d to someone. If you are thinking about what your response is going to be \u2013 or an unrelated issue: chances are that you need to work on developing your listening skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pam Macdonald<\/strong>Having made multiple successful career transitions, Pam Macdonald has turned her passion for people (along with her energy) into powerful and practical coaching and leadership development. Known and respected for her ability to cut to the chase, Pam is also highly effective at guiding people into new and effective levels of leadership performance. Pam is a speaker at our November Young Guns Workshop event for Smithink.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Leadership skills are essential to progressing your career for a wide range of reasons including: You already know that and will undoubtedly be looking forward to discovering more about this (and other insights) at the 2023 Young Guns Workshop. There is one leadership skill that isn\u2019t often mentioned that truly is a critical one. It\u2019s…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":460,"featured_media":11574,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[47,40,41],"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n