Put Active Listening Into Practice: A Leadership Skill That Drives Results

Ever catch yourself formulating a response before someone is finished talking?

You’re not alone.

People often “hear out” others half-heartedly, but great leaders are highly skilled at active listening. In fact, it’s one of the building blocks of excellent communication, and one that takes intentional practice.

To truly listen, you must:

• Give people time to finish speaking
• Pay attention to body language
• Avoid interrupting
• Acknowledge and replay what you hear using the communication loop model from MAP’s 2.5 Day Program

If someone disagrees with you, clarify exactly what part of the message they disagree with and why.

Active listening is a powerful leadership trait for business leaders who want to communicate effectively with their direct reports and employees.

Most Leaders Think They’re Good Listeners (Until They Test It)

Interestingly, many leaders believe they’re already experts at active listening… until they experience an exercise that proves otherwise.

According to Steve Behunin, a member of MAP’s management coaching team, this realization often happens during MAP’s 2.5 Day Program.

Behunin likes to give attendees a “little test.”

Participants receive basic verbal instructions and are asked to “play back” what they heard. That’s when they learn just how challenging active listening really is.

“No one gets it right, and they’re always pretty shocked to learn how far off they are,” he says. “It’s simply because they haven’t trained their mind and ears to practice this technique.”

If people aren’t focused on listening — and instead are preparing their response — they often misinterpret information through the lens of their own beliefs and assumptions.

That’s why the playback step in the communication loop is critical. It creates clarity and reveals misunderstandings early, before they turn into bigger issues.

Click here to download our free effective communication checklist.

Why Active Listening Builds Respect and Professionalism

Here’s another reason to put active listening into practice.

When you replay someone else’s words, it validates their contribution and shows a basic level of respect. You don’t have to agree with what they say, but active listening helps diffuse emotions and refocus conversations on facts.

It also demonstrates that you communicate with professionalism, accuracy, and integrity.

And that earns respect, something every great leader values.

Active Listening Is a Skill, Not a Personality Trait

Active listening isn’t easy, mainly because poor listening habits are deeply ingrained.

Maybe it’s cultural. Maybe it’s learned behavior.

But in business, weak listening skills can put both you and your organization at a serious disadvantage.

The good news? Active listening is a habit that can be practiced and perfected.

With discipline and consistency, you’ll begin catching yourself before falling into familiar poor-listening patterns. Over time, stronger communication becomes natural, and the benefits become unmistakable.

Steve Behunin’s Top Tips to Improve Your Active Listening Skills

The following is an abbreviated version of Steve Behunin’s recommendations:

To Improve Your Active Listening Skills:

• Stay focused on what’s being said
• Send non-verbal affirmations to the speaker
• Don’t finish someone else’s sentences
• Avoid getting defensive
• Improve retention by practicing paraphrasing
• Listen with the “Whole You”
• Be alert to your prejudices
• Avoid negative or disruptive mannerisms
• Ask for more information
• Determine what the “central theme” means to and for you

Can you read other people’s body language?