“Listen more than you talk. Nobody learned anything by hearing themselves speak.” – Richard Branson
A good manager knows how to listen effectively. One of the key criteria for being successful and making the right decisions as a manager is to be a good listener.
? “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” – Stephen R. Covey
Here’s why being a good listener is critical in management:
1. Builds Strong Relationships
Managers who listen create stronger and trust-based relationships with their team members. This fosters a more positive and productive work environment.
2. Identifies Problems Early
Effective listening allows you to detect potential problems early on. This way, you can produce proactive solutions and prevent crises.
3. Uncovers Innovative Ideas
Carefully listening to your team members’ ideas helps you find new and innovative solutions.
? Example: Steve Jobs’ Strategy at Apple
Steve Jobs was a leader who listened to his employees’ ideas. By giving them opportunities to express their thoughts, he enabled the emergence of innovative products.
4. Increases Motivation
Taking into account your employees’ opinions shows that you value them, which increases their motivation.
How Can You Be a Better Listener?
Use active listening techniques.
Make eye contact and avoid distractions.
Nod occasionally while the other person is speaking to show you understand.
Ask questions and provide feedback.
? “When people talk, listen completely. Don’t be thinking what you’re going to say. Most people never listen.” – Ernest Hemingway
What do you think makes a good manager? Share your thoughts! ?
Ali YAZICI is a Senior IT Infrastructure Manager with 15+ years of enterprise experience. While a recognized expert in datacenter architecture, multi-cloud environments, storage, and advanced data protection and Commvault automation , his current focus is on next-generation datacenter technologies, including NVIDIA GPU architecture, high-performance server virtualization, and implementing AI-driven tools. He shares his practical, hands-on experience and combination of his personal field notes and “Expert-Driven AI.” he use AI tools as an assistant to structure drafts, which he then heavily edit, fact-check, and infuse with my own practical experience, original screenshots , and “in-the-trenches” insights that only a human expert can provide.
