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Improve your leadership, just listen

Listening is one of the keys to great leadership. Many leaders either don't see the value in listening, or don't know how to really listen to their followers. This article provides some listening tips for leaders.

Author: Tracie Linderman - Edge Consultants

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What do you suppose the one thing you as a leader can do to really make a difference with your followers? The answer really is a simple one...but it will require both a commitment and a promise for practice by you.

The answer is -- Listen.

Listen to your followers. Does this sound so silly...almost stupid? Sure, but the effects of listening to your followers will produce nothing less than outstanding results. The kind of results that will transform your environment and leadership.

Think about it, what does every human being want? Universal in nature...they have a desire to be heard, they want to know that how they feel matters. In order to be heard, someone has to be willing to listen...and this is where you come in.

Sure -- you are probably saying, I can do this. While it is easy to do...it requires a real commitment. Multi-tasking is out of the question when it comes to listening to your followers. To do this right means you'll have to push whatever you are doing aside and make time for your them.

What they want is your undivided attention...even if it is just for a few minutes.

Here's how to start:

Scenerio:

You are sitting at your desk working on a report that is due to your boss by noon when a follower appears in your doorway irrated about the recent increase in workload.

How to turn this into an opportunity to listen:

Immediately invite the follower into your office
Push your report aside
Call your secretary and ask to hold your calls
Maintain eye contact with the follower - not the computer screen in front of you
Express gratitude for the follower coming to see you
Listen...listen...listen

If you make it a point to put listening as a priority everytime your followers want to talk to you -- you will see a change in their behavior...and ultimately a change in your relationship with them. They will start to see you as someone who really cares...and this will be the glue that holds your team together...through all the turmoil and change in the workplace and your leadership.

Copyright (c) 2007 Tracie Linderman. All Rights Reserved.

About Author

Tracie Linderman is a consultant, trainer, and writer specializing in organizational and employee development. She is currently accepting new clients in the US and international markets. tlinderman@email.phoenix.edu

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Improve your leadership, just listen