LISTENING BEYOND LISTENING

One of the fundamental topics in our Active Management Program (AMP) is communication—a skill that impacts every layer of leadership and team dynamics. 

In a recent meeting I had with a client’s team, we explored the dual aspects of communication: transmitting clearly and listening actively. Mark made a wonderful observation that sometimes listening doesn’t happen face-to-face. He emphasized that great listening is not always one-and-done. It often involves stepping away, reflecting on what was said, and returning later to deepen the dialogue. This approach shifts the focus from immediate reactions to considered responses. 

It became clear where this thought originated in my follow-up meeting with Mark’s boss. 

Mark’s boss told me how he and Mark had engineered a strategic “loud debate (read argument)” in front of their design team. They wanted to provide a real-life example of how to improve communication. So, a few days later, they revisited the “loud debate” with the team for a post-mortem conversation on what went wrong and what would work better. The dialogue then turned to their monthly AMP coaching session with a focus on communication techniques. The experiment was a success. It turned into a whole-of-team conversation about how to communicate, and everyone got a deeper understanding of each other’s perspectives and abilities. 

Communication is about so much more than talking and listening. It’s about two human beings connecting. The kind of connection that turns surface-level conversations into moments of clarity, collaboration, and shared purpose. This is what AMP is designed to instill—practical skills that help managers stay present, communicate with intent, and bridge the gap between hearing and understanding. 

Listening doesn’t always end with the conversation. Reflection and re-engagement are key to building trust and driving results. 

Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section below and share this with someone who might find it interesting.