Did you know that Only 3 out of 10 professionals trust their leaders.What if the boss's ear could be the key to turning the tables? Active listening, still so neglected, can transform relationships, retain talent, and generate lasting results when truly practiced.
According to a Gallup poll, Only 30% of professionals trust their leaders. - an index that tends to undermine engagement, productivity, and retention. Most even consider artificial intelligence more trustworthy than their human manager.
Furthermore, distrustful employees often plan their departure and withdraw from projects, compromising the company's strategy and future.
As distrust grows, a powerful skill emerges: truly listen. According to Danilo Nogueira of Exame magazine, active listening is scarce and underestimated. And that's precisely why it can be the differentiating factor for future leaders.
It's not just about hearing words, but about picking up on emotions, interjections, and subtext. This practice builds trust, reduces conflict, and motivates more effectively.
Speak last
If you are the authority in the room, hold back your initial response. Let the group share ideas without being influenced – lead with questions or reflections, not with automatic answers.
Listen beyond the live broadcasts.
Don't limit yourself to your immediate team: listen to what's happening in other areas and hierarchical levels. This broadens your scope and avoids the pitfalls of filtered information.
Create presence through listening.
Silence distractions, maintain eye contact, nod, and repeat in your own words: “"So what you're saying is..."” This reinforcement makes all the difference.
Provide context and reassurance during feedback.
Before giving feedback, define the environment and context: choose a private location, don't surprise them, recap their previous performance, and create space for the employee to express themselves.
To truly listen is to build fertile ground for... trust, Confident employees are twice as likely to stay with the company.
During crises or leadership changes, listening before proposing changes is vital: the new leader who respects the legacy and shows sensitivity gains legitimacy.
This creates organizational climates based on respect, consistency, and strong bonds, far beyond empty rhetoric.
According to Armando Lourenzo (Você S/A), behaviors such as centralization, lack of transparency, questionable ethics, and difficulty listening are among the main culprits for demotivating teams.
These traits solidify the distance between leader and follower. Listening effectively is precisely the opposite, a demonstration of empathy and openness.
Active listening is among the three fundamental skills of great leaders — along with flexibility and the ability to develop talent.
It is also a fundamental pillar for identifying and nurturing potential, especially when combined with frequent and personalized feedback.
By listening to subtle signals, reading the environment, and connecting with emotions, the modern leader not only reacts, but creates new realities.
| Step | Practical action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Schedule one-on-one meetings with open-ended questions — “What do you want to bring today?” |
| 2 | Conduct informal interviews with employees from other departments. |
| 3 | Adopt a "speak last" ritual in strategic meetings. |
| 4 | Practice giving feedback with empathetic listening (listen, reflect, respond). |
| 5 | Observe your behavior: Do you interrupt? Do you judge quickly? |
Each step increases its legitimacy, reduces noise, and strengthens ties.
Leaders of the future will be recognized for their ability to listen before speaking, to welcome instead of judging, to develop instead of commanding. LongVision, This is already a practiced value, but it can be enhanced. Are you ready to lead with listening and trust? The difference lies in every question you ask.
