Leadership Minute: The Courage to Listen

Winston Churchill said, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” Leaders need courage on both fronts. But what I have discovered over the years is that I learn more by listening than I do by talking. To be sure, there is a time and place as a leader to speak. But the wisdom of leadership more times than not is found in the ability to listen and reflect upon the situation at hand. Don’t be afraid to listen. In fact, embrace it. You can be just as effective as a leader by practicing the art of listening as you can by speaking. Wouldn’t you agree?

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