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Read Time: 3.5 min
The Idea: Active Listening
Last week, we highlighted that sometimes the most important leader on the team is the one who operates subtly. They are the relational oil inside teams that make sure the team is in harmony. This week and in the following weeks, we are going to look at some of the specific skills these leaders have. What allows them to be the relational oil?
Active listening is often described as a practice in effective communication. But it’s far more than that. It’s a leadership strategy. Simply put, we want to be interested before interesting. It’s a nearly 100-year-old concept first written about by Dale Carnegie in How to Win Friends and Influence People. But, I would argue it’s more important now than it’s ever been, especially with young people.
It also allows you to see things that might NOT be said, fostering an environment of trust and mutual respect.
“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”
Anecdote: The Inner Game
The Inner Game of Tennis has become somewhat of a coaching bible amongst coaches. It was published in 1974 but has only gained popularity the more it has been out. It is renowned for its innovative approach to improving tennis performance by focusing on the mental and psychological aspects of the game rather than the physical.
One of the famous stories that highlight the importance of listening comes from author W. Timothy Gallwey’s experiences as a coach. He discovered that traditional coaching methods, which often involve giving explicit instructions on what to do and how to correct mistakes, were not as effective as most thought. Instead, he found that by listening to his students and allowing them to observe and listen to their own experiences — without judgment or immediate critique — they could make significant improvements.
For example, when working with a student on their serve, instead of giving the student detailed instructions on how to adjust their technique, Gallwey asked the student to focus on the sound the ball made when it hit the racket and to pay attention to the feel of their movements when it sounded “right” versus when it sounded wrong. By listening to the sound and being mindful of their body’s movements, the student was able to adjust naturally and improve their serve without direct instruction.
Think about that for a second. The connection between mind and body allowed the student to self-correct to a more optimal physical outcome when their coach, rather than instructing, allowed the student to observe and directed their attention through observing, listening, and asking questions.
The core principle is that learning and performance enhancement, when truly takes hold, comes from within a person, through a process of focused attention and awareness, rather than external instruction. This changes the role of the coach or leader.
It throws out the idea of the leader as an instructor and emphasizes the importance of the leader as a listener.
Research Insight: Techniques and Strategies
The study, “Techniques and Strategies to Develop Active Listening Skills: The Armour for Effective Communication across Business Organizations” by P. Khanna (2020) emphasizes the critical role of active listening. It’s presented as a vital soft skill that is often overlooked in professional settings but is crucial for building trust, establishing rapport, and enhancing problem-solving capabilities within teams. This week, we are going to highlight the strategies they researched within teams that enhanced leaders’ and teams’ active listening:
So, what does this research suggest?
Empathy and Attention: Active listening demands empathy towards the speaker and paying full attention to their words. This involves being fully present in the conversation, without distractions, and seeking to understand the speaker’s perspective.
Mindful Listening: The paper stresses the importance of mindful listening, which entails listening with the intent to understand rather than to reply. This approach helps in acknowledging the speaker’s viewpoint and encourages a more constructive dialogue.
Feedback and Paraphrasing: Providing feedback through paraphrasing what has been heard is a technique to ensure understanding. It clarifies misinterpretations and demonstrates to the speaker that their message is being actively processed.
Non-Verbal Cues: Recognizing and responding to non-verbal cues includes maintaining eye contact, nodding, and other gestures that indicate engagement and understanding.
Questioning: Ask open-ended questions that encourage the speaker to elaborate on their points. This fosters open communication.
Avoid Interruption: Do not interrupt the speaker. It seems simple, but so many people interrupt speakers when “listening”. Give them time to complete their thoughts, even rest in silence for a second to make sure they’re done speaking
Practice and Conscious Effort: Developing active listening skills requires practice and a conscious effort to implement these strategies in daily communication. Regular reflection on one’s listening habits and seeking feedback will help you!
Conclusion:
Active listening is a cornerstone of effective 21st-century leadership, particularly in high-pressure situations, and particularly with young people. By truly listening to what their team members say, leaders can build trust, uncover underlying issues, and drive their teams to greater success. It’s about more than just hearing words; it’s about understanding the full message, the emotions behind it, and the unspoken cues. Implementing active listening strategies can revolutionize the way leaders interact with their teams, leading to improved performance, enhanced team dynamics, and a culture of mutual respect and understanding.
The Coach Performance Playbook
Coaches have access to a lot of coaching content. What they lack are systems.
The Coach Performance Playbook consists of three comprehensive sections that guide coaches through a transformative leadership journey. Through this playbook, coaches will establish systems to effectively manage the chaos they face, enhance their ability to develop their team members, and ultimately elevate their team’s performance to new heights.
This comprehensive suite includes on-demand assessments, valuable tools, engaging courses, and a wealth of resources, all meticulously designed to unlock the full potential of your coaching staff and team.
As a part of the Coach Performance Playbook, coaches get access to the following systems for themselves and their programs:
Coach Performance Plan
10 Culture Playbook Team Exercises
Elite Athlete Index
Elite Coach Index
Player Cards
Culture Wins Library
And for the first time, we’ve created a way for everyone to experience it completely for FREE!
How to Get Access:
Clicking the link below will take you to a page to get 3 free videos from inside the Coach Performance Playbook.
Feel free to send this page to any coaches or leaders that you think would benefit from this or find this valuable.
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If you’re a High School coach or AD, we are offering the CPP for a discounted price for a limited time so make sure to check out the discount code listed in the email when you sign up!
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