The Shift from Loud and Proud to Listening and Learning in Business

Are you ‘loud and proud’ as a communicator? Well, congratulations if you are. The contrast in the headline here is not so much a call to swap one for the other, but rather to consider the continuum – the spectrum of communication options available to us as we seek to share our ideas and listen to those of others. Guest post by by Janie Van Hool.

No matter where you are on your career journey, your organisation will very likely support you to become a good communicator. You will have options to develop your presentation skills, negotiate your way to success, influence others and manage difficult conversations. All these necessary skills are predicated on the idea that we communicate in a way that ensures we project our ideas, speak up and get noticed – developing our personal brand in a way that creates a reputation for competence and effectiveness, almost guaranteeing our progression to the next level.

Here’s where the balance is out… the scales weigh heavy on the side of talking, and not so much on the art of listening. And yet listening is the place where change happens – a place where major issues can be explored openly and where, even if we don’t reach an agreement, we understand the perspectives and experiences of others. To quote the Dalai Lama, ‘When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.’

So, can you be ‘loud and proud’ and ‘listen and learn’ at the same time? I believe you can – as long as you are self-aware, generous to others and commit to some preparation.

Here are some steps to help you:

1. Wherever you are on the continuum of loud and proud to listen and learn, you’ll need strong levels of self-awareness. If you find yourself rushing from meeting to meeting, or conversation to conversation, you cannot expect to bring your best self, have presence, think clearly or listen well. Take a couple of moments between meetings, before conversations and as you prepare to present to check your physical, mental and emotional world. Does anything need ‘resetting’ before you can bring yourself fully to the experience?

2. Get clear about your intention in any communication situation – an intention to reassure creates a different atmosphere to an intention to enthuse. Decide how you would like your ‘audience’ to feel – and equally, what you don’t want them to feel – and let that guide your approach to communicating with them.

3. If you’re in ‘loud and proud’ mode – i.e., your intention is to speak in a meeting or present to others, then challenge yourself to help your listeners listen. For starters, less is definitely more – reduce the number of points you want to make and pay attention to the balance in conversation… are you talking more than the other person? Do you need to be?

4. Pay attention to the contributions you hear from others – whether face-to-face or in online chat – and use your voice to bring them into the conversation. Loudly – and proudly – support the voices of others, especially those trying to raise awareness of D, E & I issues in the workplace. Noticing the contributions and interactions of others is the starting place for great listening and, by default, learning in the process. If you’re nervous about speaking up, doing so in support and celebration of others can feel like an easier way in.

5. How do you listen? Are you itching to dive in and solve the issues you hear being expressed? Can you see a clear path for the other person if they follow your recommendation? Tread carefully here – this might be a listening mode that is actually covering a desire to speak. Instead of offering a solution, ask a question. Be curious, rather than certain. Be patient, create space – see yourself as a sounding board.

Leadership is changing – listening and learning is the way forward. The shift for leaders comes in moving away from the pressures of being a solution-provider, a hero with all the answers and the dynamism to drive us collectively forward, towards a facilitative, collaborative and humble approach to leading that includes and acknowledges the contributions of others across the organisation. We need great listeners first and foremost, and then speaking skills that engage and inspire.

Whoever urged us not to confuse confidence with competence was ahead of the curve in communication thinking so whilst I fully encourage loud and proud as a celebration of communicating our ideas, talents and skills, don’t let this be at the expense of a focus on listening and learning.
Becoming an expert communicator requires a beginner’s mindset – start each day with fresh curiosity, an open mind and an open heart. You’ll be proud of what you learn.

Janie Van Hool is a leadership communication expert and the author of The Listening Shift: Transform your organisation by listening to your people and helping your people listen to you is out now, priced £12.99

Written by Janie Van Hool
Prepared by Ebony Ximines-Parke