Active listening is an attitude

Speaking, and listening together form an effective communication.

And yet, there is single minded emphasis on become better at speaking whenever leaders talk about communication. There are formal workshops and forums for improving speaking skills. There are practice sessions for public speaking, for addressing gatherings and for having difficult conversations. 

Listening is taught as theory.

And as per this attribution to Yogi Berra- "In theory there is no different between theory and practice. In practice there is".

Listening is essential for leaders and for those aspiring to be in the top management. There are two simple and powerful arguments in favor of listening

1. When you listen well, you know better.

2. When you listen well, you can ask better.

Best of the leaders know what to ask, simply because they listen deeply. Listening is not just a skill, it is an attitude and a value system, a way of respecting another Individual.

If you are serious about your journey to the c-suite, make listening a way of life