Why Listening Is the Most Overlooked Skill in Leadership

Why Listening Is the Most Overlooked Skill in Leadership

When I coach leaders, it’s often clear early on that many of their biggest challenges aren’t caused by a lack of direction or strategy, but by a gap in their ability to listen. I once worked with a Managing Director of an insurance firm who couldn’t understand why his senior team had become disengaged, despite his open-door policy and regular meetings. It turned out that while he was physically present, he wasn’t truly listening. He was busy thinking ahead to solutions, unintentionally cutting people off, and missing what really mattered.

The key difference lies not in merely hearing words or waiting for a chance to respond, but in fully and intentionally listening to understand, rather than to reply, as Stephen Covey famously teaches. This is arguably one of the most undervalued leadership skills, yet it makes all the difference.

Listening Isn’t Passive—It’s Powerful

Listening to understand requires even greater effort than active listening, demanding attention, humility, and a willingness to adapt. When executed effectively, it becomes a competitive advantage not only for the leader but for the entire team.

Leaders who know how to listen to understand:

• Create psychological safety.
• Develop stronger relationships.
• Spot issues before they escalate.
• Understand what’s really going on, not just what’s being said.

Why It’s So Often Overlooked

Many leaders assume listening is something they already do. After all, they’re present in the room, nodding and maintaining eye contact. But being present does not equate to being fully attentive.

In fast-paced environments, the urge to jump in with solutions, fix problems, or hurry the meeting often prevails. As a result, people don’t feel heard, and over time, they stop voicing their opinions altogether. And when that happens, innovation suffers, engagement dips, and trust diminishes.

Listening as an Emotional Intelligence Skill

At the heart of effective listening is empathy, a key component of emotional intelligence. Leaders who listen empathetically don’t just understand words; they tune into emotions, intentions, and unspoken concerns.

This isn’t about being “soft.” It’s about being smart. Because emotional data is real data, and it’s often what makes the difference between poor decisions and great ones.

What Listening to Understand Really Looks Like

Want to know if you’re truly listening as a leader? Try asking yourself:

• Am I listening to understand or to reply?
• Do my people feel comfortable being honest with me?
• When someone shares a challenge, do I give them space, or jump in with advice and solutions?
• Can I summarise what someone just said, without turning it into my interpretation?

Real listening involves taking your time, creating a safe space, asking insightful questions, and resisting the urge to fix, solve, or complete others’ sentences.

The Business Case for Better Listening

This isn’t just about being a “nice boss.” It’s about performance. Teams led by great listeners are typically more motivated, aligned, and resilient in the face of challenges.

Listening builds trust, and trust drives results.

In fact, some of the most common workplace issues I coach around, such as low engagement, poor accountability, and miscommunication, often stem from one common problem: not enough listening.

Coaching Simplifies the Process

The good news? Listening can be developed. Like any leadership skill, it improves with awareness, feedback, and practice.

Through coaching and emotional intelligence training, I help leaders shift from passive hearing to active, intentional listening. And the difference it makes is remarkable. Not just the leaders themselves, but everyone around them.

If you’re ready to lead with clarity, empathy, and impact, let’s talk.

Please call 020 8337 5937 or send an email to gary@garymorgan.coach

Coaching helps you listen more effectively, lead with greater strength, and create the kind of workplace people want to be part of.

Please find out about my leadership training here.