I’m sitting in my local Panera with my headphones on trying to get some work done, and between my chosen background music (the Piano Guys), I hear the sound of a BOSS having a meeting. He’s been talking for 30 min straight about a wide range of issues facing his company, and then uses examples as opportunities to promote his track record of personal achievement. I’m not trying to judge, but here I go. I couldn’t help but feel a growing unrest as I finally stopped my music and just listened to this BOSS go on and on over coffee with an obvious employee/salesman/manager. Here’s my small leadership RANT today that I’ll try to make as practical as possible. Bosses love to TALK... Leaders love to LISTEN! [Tweet "Bosses love to TALK... Leaders love to LISTEN!"]

If you’re someone who is responsible to lead others, I know it’s easy to find a groove and talk for extended periods of time (especially if you are excited about something and trying to convince people to follow you or understand a principle) - I get it! If you’re in that position, I’m sure you’ve accomplished much to get you there, and you have wisdom/stories/examples that you like to share. However, after every meeting/coffee/staff chat you have - you should always ask yourself these questions:

“What did I hear today?” “Was I listening?” “How can I serve them better as a leader?” “How did this meeting help me know how to LEAD them better?"

Bosses find some sort of satisfaction in talking. In creating noise that justifies their roles and makes them feel heard and respected. Bosses believe leading comes from authority over others. [Tweet "Bosses believe leading comes from authority over others."] Leaders are always trying to LEARN. In order to learn, you have to LISTEN. In every conversation, leaders are listening and gathering information that helps them lead better. Leaders believe leading comes from their influence and understanding of others. [Tweet "Leaders believe leading comes from their influence and understanding of others."] Last year, after meetings or long conversations with point leaders and staff, I made it a habit to write down in my Evernote everything I thought I heard. Not what I said. Even if it was information I already knew, I tried to write down what I heard someone say directly or indirectly through the conversation. Sometimes when I didn’t write very much, I had to wonder if I spent too much time talking… to much time being the BOSS - not enough time really being the leader.

Be a LEADER today! Don’t settle for being a BOSS. In every conversation, meeting, engagement - true leaders are always Listening!