The Unspoken Skill Behind Great Leadership: Listening with Intent

The Unspoken Skill Behind Great Leadership: Listening with Intent

In the years I spent as an executive business partner, I sat in on more leadership meetings than I can count. Some were inspiring, some were chaotic, and a few were quietly painful to witness. But the biggest difference I saw between teams that thrived and those that struggled wasn’t budget, tools, or mission. It was whether their leaders knew how to really listen.

I’m not talking about performative nodding while waiting to respond. I’m talking about the kind of listening that makes people feel seen. Heard. Valued.

The best leaders I’ve worked with didn’t just leave space for input — they created safety for people to share hard truths. They followed up with curiosity instead of defensiveness. And they were willing to change course when someone else had the better idea.

That doesn’t make them indecisive — it makes them aligned. Because leadership isn’t about control. It’s about clarity.

But here’s the pattern I’ve seen too often: as teams grow, communication breaks down. Feedback slows. Decisions get top-heavy. And that kind of disconnection? It’s expensive — not just in dollars, but in morale, trust, and time.

That’s why when I work with clients at Opal Bloom, we don’t just focus on structure and systems. We focus on communication culture. Because sustainable growth can’t happen in a climate of assumption and silence.

If you’re leading a team (or building one), try asking yourself:

• Do my people feel comfortable disagreeing with me?

• When decisions are made, do they know why?

• Are new voices being heard — or are the same voices dominating?

If you're unsure, that’s okay. Awareness is a starting point. The real growth begins with choosing to listen — even when it’s hard.

Curious how your team’s communication culture stacks up? Book a free consultation — let’s talk about what’s working, and what could be stronger.