One of the most indispensable skills for effective leadership is communication. When we talk about communication, we tend to focus exclusively on speaking clearly. Yet listening—attentive, thoughtful listening—is perhaps the most crucial element of communication.
Many wives’ complaints about their husbands stem not from what their husbands say, but from the perception that they do not truly listen. Similarly, people often hear only what they want to hear, tuning out the rest. Counseling cannot succeed if the counselor fails to listen. True listening requires attention not only to what is said, but also to what is left unsaid, and even to the underlying intentions and emotions beyond words. For a leader, cultivating the habit of listening is essential.
In the polytheistic culture of the ancient Near East, one of the most significant messages God gave to Israel concerned His singularity. This is captured in the Shema (Deut. 6:4): “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” In Hebrew, Shema derives from shama (שָׁמַע), meaning “to hear,” “to listen attentively,” and “to obey.” By listening carefully, one can discern the speaker’s intent and respond appropriately. When Samuel anointed Saul as king of Israel, he emphasized that Saul must hear God’s instructions (1 Samuel 15:1) and then act accordingly. The specific commands outlined in verse 3—”destroy Amalek, leaving no one or nothing alive”—were not followed by Saul, revealing a failure to listen and obey.
Samuel, by contrast, demonstrated attentive listening. In verses 10–11, he clearly heard God’s voice (shama) and promptly acted. When confronting Saul the following morning, Samuel not only cited God’s message but also noted the sounds of sheep and oxen (shama), demonstrating attentiveness beyond words. Ultimately, Samuel reproved Saul directly: “Why have you not obeyed the voice of the Lord? Instead, you have pursued plunder” (1 Samuel 15:19). Saul’s excuses revolved around listening: he claimed to have obeyed (shama), but his actions demonstrated otherwise. Samuel’s critique underscores the vital link between listening, understanding, and obedient action: “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen (shama) is better than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22–23). Saul was chosen to be king to obey God’s word, yet he lost his throne for failing to listen and act faithfully.
Without the ability to listen, a leader cannot build a great organization. Lee Iacocca, the legendary CEO who resurrected Chrysler from near collapse, emphasized this point: “The ability to turn an ordinary company into a great company is the ability to listen.” Talk-show host Larry King, famously known for Larry King Live, reminded himself each morning: “Nothing I say today will teach me anything. If I want to learn something, I must listen to others.” Perhaps the reason we have one mouth but two ears is that listening is more important than speaking.
John Maxwell, in his book Leadership Gold, highlights three key benefits of listening:
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Listening enables learning.
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Listening prevents problems from escalating.
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Listening enhances organizational performance.
When leaders truly listen to their team members, the organization improves both qualitatively and quantitatively. As a Cherokee proverb notes: “If a husband listens to his wife’s quiet request, he need not hear her shouting.” Leaders, too, must cultivate attentive ears, for listening is the foundation of trust, understanding, and effective leadership.