Leaders Listen

The message was simple: "Effective leadership has more to do with listening than with talking." 

Hans Finzel's words resonate -- probably because listening is not my strong suit. I'm getting better, but I've got a ways to go as evidenced by my reaction to a piece of constructive criticism I received this morning.  Isn't it just like God to send you out to the practice field after seeing a new play on the chalkboard? No sooner did I hear the feedback than I wanted to push back. In fact, I wanted to justify, argue, complain, put on my boxing gloves and jump into the ring. Then Hans shows up on my shoulder and whispers, Effective leadership has more to do with listening than with talking!

At that moment I had to slow down, reflect, summarize what I was hearing, and look for the kernel of truth. It was there!