Listening for Leadership

by Sharon S. Golden

Published by Society of Human Resource Management Website; Member Resources; June 2002

"You cannot be a leader and ask other people to follow you unless you know how to follow too." - Sam Rayburn

Leaders listen within for wisdom, intuition and common sense in the moment. The ability to listen for leadership and follow it is innate. It requires that we utilize our natural capacity to connect deeply with ourselves and with others. This capacity within each of us is at the heart of our emotional intelligence. The ability to listen within for wisdom and inspiration determines the success of leaders in making business decisions, achieving optimum performance and demonstrating the spirit of creativity and innovation. Thus, the ability to follow is a critical part of leadership.

Ironically, being a follower is not a skill that's ordinarily encouraged for leaders. However, sometimes the answers we seek for important issues come in the form of a paradox. The paradox illustrated here is that while leading and following seem to be diametrically opposed, the ability to follow is essential and leadership actually emerges as a result of it.

Here are five keys for utilizing your innate ability to listen for leadership:

Presence

Maintaining a relaxed focus on the present and listening with nothing on your mind is the first key to listening for leadership. It's a state of "being" rather than "doing" that requires letting go of thoughts about either the past or the future and achieving an inner quiet. Presence allows individuals to experience their natural connection to the creative intelligence that fuels their power as leaders.

Reflection

Leaders quiet their minds and reflect within for answers. In doing this, they illustrate an interesting paradox about how a stance of not knowing can be the key that opens the door to knowing. The practice of taking time to reflect and wonder creates the openness necessary for individuals to access inner wisdom. This practice allows an effortless approach to solving business issues that results in improved outcomes, reduced stress and greater productivity.

Wisdom

Wisdom refers to an individual's innate capacity to access intuition and good judgment that's beyond their intellect and memory. Wisdom comes from our connection with the creative intelligence that allows us to access vast resources of creativity and intuition in every day life. For centuries scientists, philosophers, inventors and artists have described their ability to tap into inner resources of natural wisdom and inspiration. This universal wisdom is available to everyone and can be accessed effortlessly by anyone who is aware of its existence. It can result in illuminating insights and new understanding of people, problems and situations. These insights can precipitate deeper understanding and a fresh point of view that facilitates optimum business solutions and prompts the inner shift necessary for sustainable change.

Trust

The ability to lead requires listening for wisdom in the moment, both within as well as from others, then taking appropriate action. How many times have you known the appropriate action for a situation, yet been reluctant to follow your wisdom? Then, in retrospect, you realized that you intuitively knew the most appropriate course of action and regretted not following it. The ability to exercise good business judgment and take appropriate action in the moment is a natural outcome of recognizing and trusting your inner wisdom.

Empowerment

Leaders who understand the value of leading from wisdom encourage others to listen and connect with inner wisdom. They recognize, respect and empower the natural leadership ability of others and the innate capacity in all individuals for wisdom, intuition, creativity, common sense and inspiration. By recognizing, respecting and empowering the wisdom within others, leaders can draw out and optimize the potential within each person as a leader and innovator. In a business environment where every individual is empowered to listen for leadership, quality business decisions create successful outcomes that soar to new heights.

Are You Willing To Listen?

When individuals allow their inner wisdom to lead them to action, a high performing organization is naturally created. An increase in the quality, personal commitment and satisfaction associated with each individual's work is as inevitable as the organization's increased profitability. When inner wisdom is the basis for business decisions, a foundation of integrity is established that supports ethical business operations.

Everyone has an innate connection to universal wisdom. The willingness to follow it is a pre-requisite for consistent success as a business leader. The courage and humility to follow your inner wisdom is within you. Are you willing to listen for leadership?