Remarkable leaders use their ears as tools for energizing aspirations in others. Average leaders hear words but think influence happens when they talk.
Aspiration is energy.
Listening drives influence.
7 things leaders accomplish with their ears:
Demonstrate people are important to you.
Validate other perspectives.
Strengthen trust.
Gain clarity, both the speaker and the listener.
Reduce emotional stress. People don’t have to prove their perspective matters to you.
Empower people to be honest.
Energize aspirations.
Words are a useful tool of influence, but deep listening is a superpower.
7 questions for energizing aspirations in others:
Discover Joy: What parts of your job do you love most?
Understand Values: What makes those things significant to you?
Identify Skills: What skills are you using when you’re doing what you love?
Set Realistic Expectations: In the real world, how much could a person expect to do things they love all day at work? (Percentage)
Explore Choices: What causes you to choose that percentage?
Assess Proximity: How close are you to achieving that number?
Promote Value: Why didn’t you choose a lower number? (This question helps people affirm the importance of what they value.)
Bonus: How could you do more of what you love every day?
Acknowledge their responses when you listen. Don’t judge. Don’t correct. You instill confidence in others when you pay attention to their dreams. They feel respected. You help them feel they belong.
Tip: Deep listening is enhanced with follow-up questions. Begin with a general topic like what parts of your job do you love the most. The second question is more powerful than the first. Compare question #1 above with the follow up questions.
What simple techniques can leaders use for energizing aspirations in others?
How do incompetent leaders drain energy from team members?
