One of the best things a leader can do is listen – for that, they need the humility to stop them thinking they know what’s best. The best example of this is in the business world: when you want to know if improvements are needed to any design or process, just ask the people working on those front lines. They’re there day after day and understand what works best and what’s needed. They need to be asked regularly because things change, and businesses that don’t listen and adjust just as regularly won’t be able to match or beat their competition. Beware of leaders who talk more than they listen – they’re the ones who think they are smarter than everyone else. They are the ones making speeches rather than facilitating listening forums, the ones who only listen to people that always agree with them, and quickly put down those that don’t. I know it’s hard to be at the top and still be curious enough to seek out diverse opinions. But I also know that success like that is fragile. And it really hurts when you lose it all because you forgot this simple truth. Don’t be too big to ask questions and listen to others. Be open to all perspectives. Be a role model for listening and learning today.
Rosabeth Moss Kanter (born 1943): American sociologist who is a professor of business at Harvard Business School. She was named one of "125 women who changed our world" over the past 125 years by Good Housekeeping magazine.
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