LISTENING.

Leadership listening is underrated. Years ago Tupac Shakur penned the Hip Hop anthem “Holler if Ya Hear Me.” However, it was really listening that he was after. Hearing is an appreciation of ‘sound’ - that something is being said; listening is an appreciation of ‘message’ - what is being said. Anatomically we have two ears and one mouth. While this is, perhaps, obvious, it makes it no less true and, by implication, no less important for leaders to understand the essential practice of listening twice as much as we speak. Effective leaders cultivate the practice of listening and optimal listening is intentional, routine, and multidirectional. #LeadByListening