Keynote Speaker Brad Smart is frequently acknowledged to be the world's foremost expert on hiring. He has conducted in-depth interviews with over 6,500 executive. He is author of seven books and videos, including: Topgrading, The Smart Interviewer, and Selection Interviewing.
Following is his article on the #1 Flaw of Leaders. It is an excellent article that all leaders need to read and take note of.
The #1 flaw, shortcoming of most leaders is mediocre listening. That’s the bad news. The good news is that improved listening is the single most powerful improvement most leaders can make. Why? Because when leaders progress from mediocre to very good listeners, their team considers them much improved as leaders overall, and specifically as motivators, team players, coaches, developers of talent, and yes – better Topgraders!
The best news: I’ve seen hundreds of leaders improve their listening skills. This Topgrading Tips shows how.
Being regarded as a very good leader also helps you Topgrade, because during the hiring process A player candidates ask others on your team, “What’s (your) leadership style like?” “What do people on the team like and dislike about working for (you).” “How are decisions made?” “Is (the boss – you) a good listener?” No A player wants to work for anyone, even a super A player, who is a lousy listener.
Having surveyed over a million people and coached a couple thousand senior managers, my files are loaded with my interview notes from co-workers whose boss or peer is a mediocre listener. Even super A players toss a lot of banana peels in their path when they are mediocre listeners: Co-workers feel diminished (“He’s always interrupting before I can finish.” “He does emails when I’m talking.”), unappreciated (“I have good ideas but she won’t listen.”) and stifled (“How am I supposed to grow with my ideas squashed?”). At worst sharp members of the team quit and it’s hard to recruit A players. At best performance and teamwork are lessened.
Of the 6,500 executive assessments I’ve done, the single most common weakness listed, even for A players, is listening. Of all the executives I’ve coached, the single most common area I’ve offered suggestions to improve is … listening.
Let’s tweak that – most leaders need to improve at ACTIVE LISTENING.
Listening is just grasping what the other person said. ACTIVE LISTENING is playing back to the person what you heard, engaging in a dialog to really understand not just the words but what the person really meant to say, and the feelings, emotions, and passion underlying what is said.
To bring in Brad Smart for your next meeting call us at 901-754-9404 or visit our website Executive Speakers Bureau
