The Power of Presence: How Great Leaders Truly Listen

In this episode of The Leaders’ Kitbag, I’m exploring a deceptively simple yet profoundly impactful skill: listening.

In today’s workplace, with its relentless pace and constant distractions, it’s all too easy to rush into meetings, tick off agendas, and miss what really matters.

We may be hearing our team, but are we truly listening?

In this short, tactical episode, I share practical strategies to help you:

• Shift mental gears between meetings to show up with intent.
• Choose the right energy to bring into every interaction.
• Remove everyday distractions (like your phone!) to boost connection and clarity.

You’ll also hear about a fascinating University of Chicago study that shows even seeing your phone reduces your brain’s ability to focus; a reminder of how small changes in behaviour can make a big difference in leadership impact.

This episode is all about creating space, not just in your diary, but in your mind, so your people feel valued, heard, and inspired.

 

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Podcast Transcript: The Power of Listening 

If you find yourself rushing from meeting to meeting with a head full of tasks and to-do lists, you might be listening to what your team are saying… but not truly hearing them or understanding their message. 

That’s exactly what I want to talk about in today’s episode of The Leaders’ Kitbag, how to listen more effectively and the hugely motivational effect that has on those we have the privilege and responsibility to lead. 

Listening in the Modern Workplace 

The modern world and workplace make it incredibly hard to listen well.  

There are just too many distractions fighting for our attention. And yet, to truly listen and help others feel heard, we need to do two things: 

1. Develop our listening skills. 

1. Be more intentional about listening. 

We need to consciously shift gears before each meeting or one-to-one. 

For example, imagine finishing one meeting at 10:00am and heading straight into another. You could arrive flustered and distracted. and the person you’re meeting with won’t feel valued or heard. 

Or instead, you could say: 

“One second, Ben. I’ve just come from a particularly busy meeting. Your one-to-one is really important to me. Please give me five minutes to clear my head and catch up on notes before we start. Feel free to do the same yourself.” 

Personally, I’d rather have 25 focused, high-quality minutes with someone than 30 distracted ones. 

Intentional Energy Shifts 

Once we’ve shifted gears, ask yourself: 

• What energy do I want to bring into this next meeting? 

• Better still, what energy does this person or group need from me? 

Is it curiosity? Calmness? Empathy? Inspiration? 

Then consciously shift into that state before the meeting starts. 

It’s a powerful practice that makes a tangible difference. 

One Final Tip: Ditch the Phone 

To help someone feel truly heard, put your phone away and out of sight. 

A fascinating study from the University of Chicago found that even just seeing your phone (even if it doesn’t ring, ping, or buzz) reduces your ability to perform cognitive tasks in the moment. It lowers your IQ. 

And yet, most people in the study denied that their phone had any impact on them at all. 

Phones are just too distracting. 

So, tuck it away and give the people you lead your full attention. 

They’ll notice, and they’ll feel it.