In John Baldoni's book, The Leader's Guide to Speaking with Presence, he provides these tips for listening as a leader and learning as a leader:
When Listening As A Leader:
- Look at people when they are speaking to you. Make eye contact.
- Ask open-ended questions, such as “Tell me about…” or “Could you explain this?”
- Consider the “what if” question: “What if we looked at the situation like this?”
- Leverage the “why” question: “Why do we do it this way?”
- Employ the “how” question: “How can you do this?”
When Learning As A Leader:
- Reflect on what people have told you.
- Think about what you have not observed. Are people holding back? If so, why?
- Consider how you can implement what you have observed.
- Get back to people who have suggested ideas to you and thank them.
- Look for opportunities to collaborate with others.
For nearly 20 years, Baldoni has coached and consulted for a number of leading companies in a variety of different businesses, ranging from automotive and banking to computers, high technology, fast food, and packaged goods.
