In a World Full of Noise, Listening is the Real Power Move

21 Jul In a World Full of Noise, Listening is the Real Power Move

By Kynnedi Hines

We talk about communication constantly: what to say, how to say it and how to make it stick. But what if the real skill leaders need most does not require speaking at all? 

It’s all in listening. 

In a chronically online, evolving business environment, leaders are overwhelmed with information, opinions and input. They’re expected to lead meetings, manage change, close deals and make high-stakes decisions, often without fully understanding what their teams, clients or peers are trying to communicate. 

The result of this disconnect varies. It can look like misalignment, slower execution, missed opportunities, disengaged employees or even a loss of clients. This is not because leaders are not talking enough, it is because they are not truly listening.

According to a recent Forbes article, listening has long been an undervalued superpower in the workplace. “Far from being just a neutral element, listening is an essential skill that fosters trust, enhances employee engagement and drives productivity.” Recent data support these claims as well. Salesforce reports that employees who feel heard are “4.6 times more likely to perform at their best,” while Gallup finds that highly engaged teams “achieve 21 percent greater profitability, 41 percent less absenteeism and 59 percent lower workforce turnover.”  

Yet still, engaged and effective listening remains rare. Another study cited in Forbes shows that among managers across major industries, only 24 percent actively seek employee ideas, and just 30 percent of the questions they ask are open-ended. Instead of true engagement, their approach is usually a “one-way blunt exchange—’I don’t need your input; I’ll talk, and you’ll listen.’”   

Listening is not a soft skill. It’s a strategic one. 

Most communication training focuses on what leaders say: their message, tone or delivery. And while those things matter, they only land when the speaker truly understands the people they are trying to reach. 

That understanding begins with listening. 

The problem lies in the reality that listening is often treated like a passive skill. Or worse, it’s reduced to a checklist of “active listening” tips that do not create lasting behavior change.

At Speakeasy, we know better.
 

Listening drives outcomes
 

When leaders learn to listen differently, they: 

• Strengthen team alignment and engagement 

• Build trust with clients and stakeholders 

• Improve negotiation results 

• Accelerate decision-making 

• Drive real business performance 

In short, they lead more effectively. 

Because when leaders listen, people respond. And when people feel heard, business moves. 

At Speakeasy, we help leaders master every aspect of communication. From speaking with presence to listening with purpose, we offer endless options for development. Soon, we will continue expanding these offerings even further with new tools to help leaders unlock the full potential of this powerful, often overlooked skill. 

Stay tuned for what’s coming soon!

Reach out today to explore program availability, delivery options and custom solutions for your leadership team HERE.