When I was a young boy, I regularly spent Saturday afternoons watching the midday movie on T.V. It was a wonderful form of escapism after a busy morning of sport. Often, I would find myself enthralled by the classic war movies from the fifties and sixties.
The Hero’s Blueprint: A Familiar Scene
In these movies, there was frequently a pivotal moment when the hero, often on bended knee, would utter a phrase like, “Gather ’round and listen up.” What followed was an explanation of the battle plan—a strategy to take the hill from the enemy. Without fail, the soldiers would listen intently, nod in agreement, and execute the plan to perfection.
Of course, no classic war movie would be complete without the hero meeting a tragic yet brave end, beating the enemy before the movie concluded with a fading flag and an orchestral crescendo.
The Unsung Heroes – Listening for Sucess
While these films primarily focused on the hero, the ‘star,’ I’ve come to realise the true heroes were the soldiers. They were the ones who listened, absorbed all the details, and carried out the plan flawlessly. In a sense, they were listening for success.
But how hard could listening for success really be? As it turns out, it can be incredibly challenging—but it doesn’t have to be.
Insights from Ralph Nichols and Leonard Stevens on Listening
In 1957, Ralph Nichols and Leonard Stevens published a groundbreaking article titled Listening to People, in which they identified four key traits of good listeners:
- Anticipation: A good listener thinks ahead and tries to anticipate conclusions or the direction of the conversation.
- Evidence Review: Good listeners continually evaluate the evidence presented in a conversation, determining its validity.
- Summarisation: During the conversation, a good listener regularly reviews and summarises what has been said.
- Engagement of Senses: Good listeners use their other senses to observe whether the speaker’s body language aligns with their words, paying close attention to non-verbal cues.
Building on the Past: Julian Treasure’s TED Talk
Fast forward to 2011, when Julian Treasure delivered his TED talk titled Five Ways to Listen Better. You can watch the talk through this link – TED Talk – Listening for success
What’s remarkable is that over fifty years separate the publication of Nichols and Stevens’ article from Treasure’s insights. This highlights just how enduring and challenging the practice of skillful listening can be.
A Critical Skill for Leaders
Listening is not just an art but a vital skill for leaders. It is a practice that requires constant training and refinement. By mastering this skill, leaders can execute their vision more effectively and engage authentically with those they lead.
Take Action: Listen for Success
Why not try implementing the traits described above or watching Treasure’s TED talk? Once you’ve given them a go, let me know your thoughts—and I promise, I’ll listen.
Get in touch with Murray here
References
Nichols, R. and Stevens, L. (1957). Listening to people. Harvard Business Review, Vol. 35, Iss. 5, p. 85-92.
