The Importance of Listening as a Leader

Originally published 27 August 2023

This week, I had the opportunity to facilitate two workshops at Terex's Hosur plant.

I went there to share some of my own knowledge and experience with the team, but I also learned a great deal from them. Listening to their concerns, challenges and ideas gave me a better understanding of their work and helped me shape the workshops around what they actually needed.

It was a useful reminder that facilitation shouldn't just be about the person at the front of the room sharing what they know.

The people in the room bring their own experience and knowledge with them.

As leaders, listening gives us access to that. It also shows people that we respect their experience and value what they have to contribute.

Sometimes the person doing the teaching needs to be prepared to learn too.