Most effective responses to critical issues have less to do with expertise and more to do with the quality of a person’s active listening skills. Only when you understand the true need can you apply your expertise in a helpful, productive way. Many leaders shortcut their listening with a quick response to avoid getting bogged down with more work, but most interactions can be well served with a short and concise solution if we have the discipline to listen effectively.
The quality of a person’s listening directly affects the quality of their response.
Think about a recent conversation where critical information and requests were exchanged. How did the quality of your listening affect the quality of your response? What step can you take next time so that your response can be as productive and helpful as possible?