Leadership is not about authority. It is about influence. And influence does not come with position or job title. It is earned.
Many leaders assume their role, title, or credentials are enough to inspire action in those they lead. However, the most effective leaders know that true influence starts with trust. So, how do you build trust as a leader? Well, the most consistent way to build trust is through listening.
Now, when I say “listening,” I want to be clear that I’m not talking about nodding along while planning what you’re going to say next. I’m talking about real listening. We call it active listening. Active listening is attentive, unhurried, and encourages the other person to share more. It helps the other person feel heard and understood.
Listening Creates Connection
It is easy to connect with people who think like you, work like you, or share your values. However, leadership often requires us to build relationships despite our differences. By developing your active listening skills, you can influence people you do not naturally relate to, agree with, or even particularly like.
When you give someone your full attention, you communicate to the other person that they matter. Unfortunately, that is something that is all too rare in our world, especially in the workplace. That means showing someone they matter is even more powerful. In a world full of distractions, focused listening is a sign of respect. That sign builds emotional safety, which is the foundation of trust. And people will only follow your vision when they trust and believe in you.
Three Characteristics of an Effective Listener
If you want to become a more effective listener, and thereby, a more influential leader, there are three foundational characteristics that you must develop. Effective listeners in all settings do three things consistently:
- They accept that others have problems and faults. They do not dismiss others simply because they differ in beliefs, ideas, and opinions.
- They show empathy and work to show others that they understand what they are thinking and feeling.
- They show that they genuinely care and want to help.
Using Active Listening Practices to Build Trust and Influence
As leaders who listen, our goal is first to understand what our people are thinking and feeling. However, we can’t stop there. If we want to build trust and influence, then we must also show them that we understand. Here are three ways to do that:
- Be accessible, but not always available. It is unhealthy to be available to your team 24/7. However, when people have problems, they need to know that you are accessible to listen to them and help them solve them.
- Ask clarifying questions. Avoid jumping to solutions. Ask, “Tell me more about that,” or “Is there anything else you want to share?” Then, reflect back on what you hear them saying they think and feel.
- Resist the urge to rescue. Sometimes, the best support is simply presence. Do not rush to fix what someone has not finished explaining or processing themselves.
Final Thought
Leadership is not about having the best ideas or the loudest voice. It is about helping people move forward together. That movement starts with trust. And trust starts with effective listening.
So, before you speak, before you direct, before you decide, take time to listen. Your people will trust you more. You’ll grow your influence and your leadership at the same time.
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