Great managers listen as much—or more than—they talk.
In this episode, Cindi Baldi is joined by Darrin Griffin, a communication and listening expert and faculty member at the University of Alabama. Darrin shares why listening is one of the most overlooked yet powerful leadership skills and how leaders at every level can use it to build trust and improve decision-making.
Cindi and Darrin unpack the common traps leaders fall into when they confuse authority with insight, and talk about why curiosity and humility are essential management skills. They also share practical strategies for asking better questions, engaging more deeply with your team, and recognizing the costs of not listening.
If you’ve ever wondered how to expand your influence and impact as a leader, this episode will show you why better listening is a key to building stronger teams and improving your results.
Episode Highlights:
- Why listening is an essential management skill
- The difference between hearing and listening
- What happens when leaders stop listening
- How curiosity and humility can strengthen leadership
- Practical ways to improve your listening
- The costs of ignoring feedback
Dr. Darrin Griffin is an Associate Professor at the University of Alabama. An expert on communication and group performance, with an emphasis on non-verbal communication, he has authored several books and scholarly articles in the field of communication. Darrin holds a PhD in communication from SUNY Buffalo and an MA from the University of Texas at Austin.
Listen to another Management Muse episode with Darrin Griffin on Non-verbal Communication: https://bit.ly/3HrWSvO
Watch This Episode on YouTube:
Join Our Community & Follow Us: