Many leaders love to give advice, whether it is solicited or unsolicited. However, many leaders don’t enjoy receiving advice, and even when the advice is valid. They fail to use it to improve their issues, situations, or relationships. There are several problems that can arise when it comes to giving and receiving advice. We may be overconfident about our perspectives, fail to define the true problem, fear hearing what we don’t want to hear, or learn that we are not committed to doing the “real” work required. In order to become more effective leaders, it is important to develop good listening skills when it comes to receiving advice.
Here are seven leadership listening skills that top leaders use to make the most of the advice they receive:
Set aside your ego: It can be difficult to listen to advice when you feel like your ego is on the line. However, it is important to remember that the advice you receive is not a personal attack on your abilities or intelligence. Instead, it is an opportunity to learn and grow as a leader.
Be interested: Show a genuine interest in the advice you are receiving. Ask questions and seek clarification to ensure that you fully understand the perspective of the person offering the advice.
Ask questions: Asking questions not only helps you to better understand the advice you are receiving, but it also shows that you are actively engaged in the conversation.
Be coachable: Be open to trying new approaches and considering different perspectives. This will help you to learn and grow as a leader.
Set aside being annoyed: It can be frustrating to receive advice that you don’t agree with or that challenges your current way of thinking. However, it is important to set aside these feelings and listen to the advice with an open mind.
Be open to new perspectives: Keep an open mind and be willing to consider new ideas and approaches. This will help you to broaden your perspective and become a more effective leader.
Be okay with receiving help: It is important to remember that no one has all the answers and that it is okay to ask for help or seek out advice. By being open to receiving help, you can become a more effective and confident leader.
Developing good listening skills when it comes to receiving advice is a key aspect of effective leadership. By following these tips, you can maximize your leadership potential and improve your issues, situations, and relationships.
Lead From Within: The best leaders are those who are open to receiving advice and willing to act on it. They use it to become better leaders.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- 12 Successful Leadership Principles That Never Grow Old
- A Leadership Manifesto: A Guide To Greatness
- How to Succeed as A New Leader
- 12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves
- 4 Proven Reasons Why Intuitive Leaders Make Great Leaders
- The One Quality Every Leader Needs To Succeed
- The Deception Trap of Leadership
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.