Leadership is Listening

Hearing is not listening

“Great leaders are great listeners.” - Carmine Gallo

A successful executive known for his expertise in turning around companies was mentoring a young intern. This is how their conversation went:-

Intern: What tip can you give me on leadership?
Executive: One word.
Intern: What is that one word?
Executive: Execution.
Intern: How do you know if you have executed well?
Executive: One word.
Intern: And what is that new one word?
Executive: Decisions.
Intern: How does one know if a decision is the correct one?
Executive: One word.
Intern: Yeah, I know, it’s another one word. Just tell me the one word!
Executive: Thought.

That response stopped the intern in his tracks. Finally, he decided to paraphrase what he had heard so far.
Intern: So, to execute well, one needs right decisions. Right decisions come from having clear thought. Now, do tell me, how can one develop clear thought?
Executive: One word.
Intern: Oh, goodness, I hope this is the last one word. What is it?
Executive: Listen.

By now, the intern was really tearing his hair out. With his last shred of patience, he nearly screamed: “Sir, can you tell me your one final word? How can one learn to listen well?”
The executive smiled and said without hesitation: Practise.

Note: The numerous times of ONE WORD used.