Influence Through Active Listening

The #1 Leadership Skill That Most Leaders Get Wrong I bet you've heard this before → it's active listening. But what does it really mean? After many years in leadership roles, I've noticed this: People enjoy working with me when they see that I genuinely focus, listen, and seek to understand the conversation—not just respond immediately. Harvard Business Review defines active listening as a skill that turns conversations into “non-competitive, two-way interactions”—where you tune into both someone’s words and emotions. Why does this matter? • Great listeners are seen as more trustworthy and empathetic (HBR) • 79% of employees who trust their employer are more motivated to work (Deloitte) • 70% of team engagement is attributable to the manager (Gallup) • Yet only 56% of employees feel their senior leaders listen. (TrainingMag) Why is this happening? Most of us think we're listening, but we're just waiting for our turn to talk. With so many tasks demanding attention, it's easy to have little patience for conversations. However, I've found the opposite approach brings better results: Active listening builds trust. In a work culture, prioritizing trust over hierarchy makes people feel confident sharing ideas and concerns with leadership, as HBR notes. More trust = more information for leadership to make smarter decisions → a stronger company. For me, these 7 tips have been invaluable for becoming an active listener: 1. Be fully present – Treat each conversation as an experience requiring full attention, not something you do while multitasking. 2. Practice empathy – Understand what the speaker is feeling and verbalize it. 3. Resist the urge to interrupt – Don't divert the conversation into your own stories. 4. Paraphrase and summarize – Say, "What I'm hearing is..." instead of sharing your opinion right away. 5. Ask questions that benefit the speaker – Prioritize understanding their message over your curiosity. 6. Help them find their own solution – Guide the speaker to create solutions rather than impose yours. 7. Ask open-ended questions – "What else should I know?" helps them elaborate and deepens understanding. Trust the process: When teams feel truly heard, they commit with more passion. They bring fresh ideas. They work with us, not just for us. At AVID Products, this philosophy has helped us navigate challenges as a leading EdTech company and build a work culture where people want to stay and contribute for 10, 15, and even more years. When applying these principles, remember—only listen when you have time. Don’t do it halfway. Be upfront about how much time you can give, and offer full attention, listening, and empathy.

Ever feel like your team meetings are just a bunch of talking heads? You're not alone… But what if I told you the key to unlocking better collaboration, higher engagement, and stronger results lies in something often overlooked? Active listening is more than just keeping quiet while someone speaks… It's about truly paying attention, understanding the speaker's intent, showing the speaker you understand them, and responding thoughtfully I recently coached an David (an engineering manager) on this His team was brimming with talent, but constantly missing deadlines, struggling to collaborate, and fixing mistakes that were caused by misunderstandings David noticed frustration and a lack of engagement, and after digging a little deeper, we identified a core problem… Team members weren't actively listening to each other! Ideas were interrupted, and some felt their voices weren't valued, which created a culture of hesitation and hindered creative problem-solving But changing a team culture starts at the top… Through coaching, David honed his active listening skills and implemented these practices with his team: **Give Full Attention:** David learned to silence distractions, make eye contact, and truly focus on the speaker. This simple act communicated respect and encouraged open communication **Practice Reflection and Paraphrasing:** David began summarizing key points to ensure everyone was on the same page, which clarified understanding and fostered trust **Ask Clarifying Questions:** David encouraged questions to delve deeper into ideas and build upon each other's thoughts, which fostered a more collaborative environment **Embrace Silence:** David created space for thoughtful responses instead of jumping in to fill pauses, which allowed for deeper reflection and richer discussions **Active Listening for All:** David encouraged team members to practice active listening with each other, which fostered a culture of mutual respect and understanding These simple practices produced remarkable results! Communication improved dramatically, deadlines were met, innovation soared, and the team thrived on collaboration because everyone felt empowered to share ideas freely, knowing they would be heard Implement these active listening techniques in your next team meeting and see the difference! #Leadership #CivilEngineering #SoftwareEngineering

When was the last time you truly felt heard? Now, think about this: Do your team members feel the same way when they speak to you? As leaders, we often focus on what to say, but the real game-changer? How we listen. In my work with executives, I’ve seen the ripple effect of active listening—it builds trust, deepens relationships, and inspires action. Here’s how you can elevate your listening skills: 1️⃣ Be Present: Put down your phone, close your laptop, and give your team the gift of undivided attention. It’s simple but powerful. 2️⃣ Listen Beyond Words: Sometimes, what’s unsaid is just as important as what’s spoken. Pay attention to tone, body language, and hesitation. 3️⃣ Respond, Don’t React: Instead of jumping in with a solution, ask questions like, “Can you tell me more about that?” This shows you value their perspective. The Impact: When leaders listen actively, they send a clear message: You matter. Your ideas matter. This fosters loyalty and encourages open communication. Have you ever had a moment where truly listening changed the outcome of a conversation? Share your story in the comments—I’d love to hear it! DM me to explore how you can master communication skills that inspire trust and drive results. #LeadershipTips #ActiveListening #TrustInLeadership #ConfidentCommunication 

What If I Told You Your Pride Is Silently Sabotaging Your Influence? I learned this the hard way. Last year, I sat in a meeting where someone presented an idea that clashed with everything I believed was the right direction. Instead of listening with intent, I mentally dismissed them before they even finished. Why? Because I was too focused on being right instead of being open. That moment cost us time, team trust, and missed opportunities. Here’s the truth: You can’t grow influence, build leadership trust, or create real connection if your pride is doing the listening for you. Why This Matters: In a world where active listening is now a top leadership skill (Forbes reports it’s linked to 40% higher team engagement), tuning people out—especially when you disagree—isn’t just unwise, it’s unsustainable. People can feel when they’re being dismissed. And leaders who don’t listen, lose followers. Are You Making This Mistake? Ask yourself: • Do I only fully listen when I already agree with the speaker? • Do I interrupt, correct, or internally argue before someone finishes their thought? • Have I stopped being curious? If you said “yes” to even one, keep reading. Next time you feel that internal pushback, try this: 1. Pause. Take a breath before you react. 2. Repeat. Summarize what they said back to them. 3. Reflect. Ask, “What if they’re right about part of this?” Not only will this rewire your listening habits, it’ll earn you real trust and credibility—the kind that builds long-term influence. If you do this consistently for just 7 days, you’ll start seeing better conversations, stronger connections, and more creative outcomes. Guaranteed. If you’re a leader, manager, or someone who wants to grow in influence—whether you’re a CEO or just stepping into your first team lead role—this message is for you. And yes, it’s hard—but it’s worth it. If this hit home for you, drop a “Listening > Pride” in the comments, and let’s talk. Or better yet—tag someone who models active listening well and let them know they’ve made an impact. You don’t have to agree to listen. But you do have to listen if you want to lead. #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #ActiveListening

"Active listening isn’t hearing. It’s leading." I learned that the hard way. Early in my career, I had poor listening skills. I’d nod along, pretend to understand… Then answer questions I hadn’t even heard properly. Not because I was careless But because I was only listening to reply, not to understand. Fast forward to today, listening is my superpower. It’s helped me build trust, sell more, lead better, collaborate with my team, maintain relationships with customers, solve deeper problems, and connect with people in ways I never imagined. Here’s how I turned things around: 5 skills that made me a better leader, partner, and friend. 🧠 1️⃣ Give Full Attention 🔴 “I’m listening…” (while checking your phone) 🟢 “You have my full focus.” Active listening starts with presence. Eye contact. No distractions. All ears. 🔁 2️⃣ Reflect and Rephrase 🔴 “Okay, got it.” 🟢 “So what I’m hearing is…” This confirms what was said—and makes the other person feel heard. ❓ 3️⃣ Ask Open-Ended Questions 🔴 “Is this what you meant?” (Yes/No) 🟢 “Can you help me understand this better?” Opens the door to clarity, context, and connection. 🤐 4️⃣ Hold Space Without Interrupting 🔴 “Let me stop you right there…” 🟢 Silent nod, patient presence Sometimes, people just need to feel safe to finish their thought. Give them that gift. 💬 5️⃣ Respond Thoughtfully, Not Instantly 🔴 “Here’s what I think…” (rushed) 🟢 “Give me a second to reflect on that.” Powerful responses require pause. Don’t rush wisdom. Key Insight: People don’t remember what you said. They remember how heard you made them feel. Want to lead better? Sell better? Love better? Start by listening better. 👇 Which of these listening skills are you working on right now? Let me know, I want to learn from you. Drop your views in the comments! ♻️ Repost to remind all about the value of active listening. ➕ Samson Akinola for more insights on leadership, customer service, and problem-solving.

During a recent group coaching session with senior leaders, one of the participants shared a powerful insight. He often found himself, especially in CXO conversations, mentally preparing his next point while the other person was still speaking. We discussed the importance of listening to understand rather than just to respond. He decided to apply this in an upcoming high-stakes meeting with his leadership team. The outcome? The conversation shifted. By being fully present and actively listening, he built deeper trust and created a space for collaboration. His CXO counterpart felt truly heard, and the meeting resulted in stronger solutions and better alignment. Sometimes, real leadership is about stepping back and giving others the space to be understood. As you head into your next CXO conversation, try listening with full intent—you might be surprised at the impact. #ExecutivePresence #CXOConversations #Leadership #ActiveListening #TrustBuilding

I once worked with a manager who couldn’t figure out why their team had such high turnover. It didn’t take long to see the issue—team meetings weren’t conversations; they were monologues. The manager dominated discussions, rarely pausing to hear concerns or ideas. Employees felt unheard, disengaged, and ultimately, they left. We focused on one simple but powerful shift: active listening. Asking open-ended questions. Paraphrasing to ensure understanding. Making space for real dialogue. The impact? Team members felt valued. Collaboration improved. Turnover dropped. Listening is a fundamental leadership skill that drives real results. #Leadership #Management #ProfessionalDevelopment #Growth #TeamBuilding #EmployeeEngagement #Listening #ActiveListening

The Power of Active Listening in Leadership. Active listening is a critical skill that every leader should master. It goes beyond simply hearing words; it's about understanding the emotions, intentions, and unspoken messages behind them. When we truly listen to our team members, we create a safe space for them to share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Recently, I re-read 📚 Michael Bungay Stanier's book, "The Coaching Habit," which reinforced the importance of active listening in leadership and coaching. It inspired me to reflect on how we can use active listening to build stronger relationships, foster trust, and unlock our teams' potential. To practice active listening, we must be fully present in our conversations, setting aside distractions and resisting the urge to formulate our responses while others are speaking. By asking clarifying questions, paraphrasing what we've heard, and acknowledging the speaker's perspective, we demonstrate genuine interest and empathy. Active listening helps us gather valuable insights into our team's challenges and opportunities, enabling us to make more informed decisions and provide better support. Moreover, when people feel heard and understood, they are more likely to engage, collaborate, and contribute their best work. As leaders, we have the opportunity to model active listening and create a culture where everyone feels valued and respected. By listening more than we speak and focusing on understanding others' perspectives, we can unlock new ideas, foster innovation, and build a more cohesive and productive team. 👂 How can you incorporate active listening into your leadership practice today? What impact might it have on your relationships, your team's engagement, and your organization's success? #ActiveListening #LeadershipSkills #EmployeeEngagement #CommunicationSkills #CoachingMindset