GoKawiil‘We train people to give answers, but not to ask questions.’ I used to have a manager who worked for me and would often come to me with a tricky problem to be solved. We would go to a conference room and she would explain the details. I would ask a few questions, but would mostly listen. After about ten minutes, she would jump up, having solved the problem herself and exclaim, “Thanks, you really helped me!”
To be a great leader, you need to become a great listener. Here are 3 skills to master
Why This Matters
A leadership piece arguing that listening, not answering, is the core management skill — illustrated by a manager who solved her own problem while the author mostly listened. It matters because tech cultures reward fast answers and technical expertise, which can crowd out the questioning and space that helps teams think for themselves.
Key Takeaways
- Most professionals are trained to supply answers, not to ask good questions.
- Listening and asking a few targeted questions can let employees solve their own problems.
- Effective leadership is framed as a set of learnable listening skills, not innate charisma.
Worth a Look
You're Not Listening" by Kate Murphy — Kate Murphy's book digs into why real listening is so rare and how to actually do it, which is exactly the skill the article says leaders neglect. It's full of interviewing techniques and habits you can bring straight into your next one-on-one, where the best move is often to stay quiet and ask a better question.
See You're Not Listening" by Kate Murphy on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Get alerts for these topics