Have you ever noticed how powerful it feels when someone truly listens to you—not just to your words but to your heart? Listening is often overlooked in leadership, yet it may be one of the most important qualities a leader can embody. 1 I am constantly growing in this critical area.
Helping People Feel Seen
In a world full of noise, listening tells people, “You matter.” It helps them feel seen, known, and loved. That validation can transform workplaces, ministries, and families into places where people flourish. 2
Reflecting God through Listening
When leaders listen first, they mirror God’s heart. Proverbs 18:13 warns against answering before hearing, reminding us that listening is wisdom. A listening leader communicates value, dignity, and belonging. It creates trust, collaboration, and resilience within a community or team. 3
Listening in Pain and Loss
People in pain don’t always need answers – they need presence. Job’s friends were most comforting when they simply sat with him in silence. Leaders who listen without rushing to fix offer space for grief, lament, and healing. That kind of listening is a ministry in itself.
God as the Ultimate Listener
Scripture overflows with examples of God’s attentive ear. David cried out in the Psalms, and God heard him. Hagar, abandoned in the wilderness, named God “the One who sees me” because He listened to her despair. Again and again, God reveals His love by hearing His people.
Conclusion
Leadership is not only about casting vision or making decisions – it’s about listening like God listens. When leaders choose to hear deeply, they don’t just solve problems; they heal hearts and reflect the love of the One who hears us all.
Question for you:
How do you practice listening leadership in your work or relationships?
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
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References
1 Riordan, Christine M. “Three Ways Leaders Can Listen with More Empathy.” Harvard Business Review, 16 Jan. 2014, hbr.org/2014/01/three-ways-leaders-can-listen-with-more-empathy.
2 Mercurio, Zach. “The Power of Mattering at Work.” Harvard Business Review, May–June 2025, https://hbr.org/2025/05/the-power-of-mattering-at-work
3 Kluger, A. N., et al. (2024). “A Meta-Analytic Systematic Review and Theory of the Effects of Listening.” Journal of Business and Psychology. Meta-analysis integrates findings across contexts, reinforcing that listening behaviors have reliable, positive effects on attitudes, well-being, and cooperation at work.
Steve Morgan
stevermorgan.com 
Thanks for working so hard to be a great listener. 💛
“When leaders listen first, they mirror God’s heart.”. I love this. Thanks Steve.
Well done, Steverino. Listening for leaders is a challenge; listening to those around us to be able to really attune to where others are coming from, to hear what’s on their hearts, is not something we encourage today. Especially in pain and loss. Someone once shared with me that, when someone is experiencing pain in loss, we need to sit shiva with them and our own emotions. I love the idea of the One who sees is the One who listens.
Thanks Dayle. You are right. We teach public speaking and comms, but don’t often see courses or training on listening. Hmmm? Thanks for reading. BTW, did you see the episode in the Chosen where Andrew sits shiva with Jesus? They both grieve but also laugh, and in the listening Jesus has amazing insight on how to honor the death of his cousin, John. So powerful.