Leaders Listen

Is that a description of the leaders you've encountered?

Or is it a directive leaders need to note?

I've recently had the privilege of sitting in on a number of leaders' addresses to their staff, and one thing I've noticed that differentiates the best from the good, is their willingness & ability to listen. 

The most basic, and perhaps important demonstration of this is a willingness & ability to stand still & comfortable with the almost inevitable, and uncomfortable, pregnant silence that follows their invitation for questions and comment. 

The worst don't invite questions or comments - they often don't even turn up. 

The best stand still, stay silent and show no discomfort with the silence... the result is always that someone in the audience speaks up. 

The good, and pretty average, on the other hand seem anxious with even a second of silence! 

They deal with their own discomfort by filling the silence, answering their own question, repeating something they've already said, or starting off on a new tack of their own... what I notice in the audience then, is some raised eyebrows, sideways looks and thought-bubbles that seem to say, Hmmph! Knew it. He doesn't really want us to ask or say anything!

What a lost opportunity!

If, as a leader I can't tolerate 10 seconds of somewhat uncomfortable silence, without filling it with more talk rather than a demeanour of encouraging expectancy... can I really win the hearts and minds that are my most critical resource?