One of the most important skill sets to have for adaptive leadership is listening.
To be a good leader, it's essential to hear what people have to say. The first step in increasing your leadership listening skills is to learn how to connect with your team. To be able to listen, you must first be interested in your team members.๐
Especially as someone who works on the ground and communities, it is essential to listen to what people want. You cannot come in with a saviour complex and implement programmes/campaigns you think they need. You must listen to the demands of the community because there might be a difference in what you think they want and what they actually need.
Before taking a session, we try our best to create a safe space for all the people attending the workshop. We try to share personal stories, play ice-breaking games and listen to what they have to say.
I truly believe story circles is the best way to understand where your audience is coming from and how you should navigate the conversation with them. Even though we have a module to conduct workshops, we keep evolving it according to our audience.
Listening goes well beyond being quiet and giving someone your full attention. It requires you to be aware of body language, facial expressions, mood, and natural behavioral tendencies.
Do you think listening is an essential skill to have for leadership? Tell me in the comments below! ๐