LEADERSHIP CAPSULE
... equipping leaders with tools, skills, and weapons to provide effective leadership for nations to ultimately fulfill the Great Commission

Tuesday, February 07, 2017

TITLE : CULTIVATE A TEACHABLE SPIRIT 4

Proverbs 26:12 :
"Do you see a man who is wise (not teachable) in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him." emphasis added mine

Yesterday we briefly considered the first indispensable trait of teachable leaders.

#1 Teachable leaders are great listeners

Edgar Watson Howe once joked , “ No man would listen to you talk if he didn't know it was his turn next.” Unfortunately most people approach communication this way- . they’re too busy waiting for their turn to really listen to others but leaders understand the incredible value of becoming a good listener. If you want to be an effective counselor it is a good idea to be student of the art and science of listening. It is one key to gaining influence with others. One of the leadership secret of Jesus Christ is the value of listening. Jesus was a great listener.

Luke 2:46 New International Version (NIV)
"After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

The ability to listen is one key to gaining influence with others. Let us consider some benefits of listening that I've found:

• Listening helps you connect more with people : A big benefit of listening to people is they will feel connected to you, which will create more contacts that can bring more opportunities in your life.

• Listening shows respect - Whenever you don’t listen to what others have to say, their opinions or ideas you send them the wrong message that you don’t value or respect them. But when you listen to them, you show them that you respect them. A great mistake that people often make in communicating is trying very hard to impress the other person. They try to make themselves appear smart, witty, or entertaining. But if you want to relate well to others, you have to be willing to listen what they have to say. Be impressed and interested, not impressive and interesting.

• Listening builds Relationship - The art of listening is indispensable in building strong relationship at any level. By becoming a good listener, you are able to connect with others on more levels and developed stronger, deeper relationships. “Everyone needs someone who he feels really listens to him”. When you become that important listener, you help that person. And you take a significant step toward becoming a person of influence in his or her live.

• Listening increases your knowledge and generate ideas - Listening Generates Ideas - Fresh, Innovative. “Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.” When you consistently listen to others, you never suffer for ideas. I love my people and give them opportunities to contribute and I try to listen to their feedbacks. If you give people opportunities to share their thoughts, opinion and ideas and you listen with an open mind, there will always be a flow of new ideas in your organization.

• Listening attracts people - I've observed this in my life that when you listen to people they get attracted to you. Practicing good listening skills draws people to you. Everyone loves a good listener and is attracted to him or her. If you consistently listen to others, valuing them and what they have to offer, they are likely to develop a strong affection towards you.

• Listening builds loyalty - If you want loyalty from your people you have to listen to what they have to say. As leaders we must learn how to strike a balance between our principles and our love for our people. Listen to their excuses even if it does not make sense. A funny thing happens when you don’t make a practice of listening to people. They will certainly find others who will. Anytime employees, spouses, colleagues, children or friends no longer believe they are being listened to, they look out for people who will listen to them. Sometimes the consequences can be disastrous: the end of a friendship, lack of power and authority at work, lessened parental influence, or the breakdown of a marriage or relationship.

Leaders communicate passionately and listen patiently. The first duty of love is to listen. Listening is the way to gain wisdom because everything you say, you already know. Effective leaders allow others to tell them what they need to hear, not necessarily what they want to hear.”
One of the best ways to persuade others is with your ears and your heart, by listening to them.