“Listening is a mental discipline. Listening problems are often caused by lack of attention.” – Tim Kight

Leaders listen . . . it’s plain and simple. Leaders take the time to actively listen to their constituents and their team to understand what is required. Listening to others is an active, mental discipline.

One of my struggles as a listener is my desire to solve a problem, or communicate an idea, before someone else has even completed a thought. I often struggle with partial listening, with permitting my mind to get too far ahead of the conversation. It takes intentional reflection for me to focus on my personal weakness . . . but this is clearly a discipline that requires my attention.

Are you an active listener? Do you permit your attention to wander as you process partial conversations? As you engage friends, family, and colleagues today, be intentionally in your listening and purposeful with the attention to pay to the entirety of a conversation.