Here's How Great Leaders Listen to and Understand Their Teams

True or false: putting your intelligence on display is the most important thing you can do as a leader.

So, so, false.

In fact, the best leaders are good at humble listening. They admit when they don’t know and they tap into ways to learn.

The team at The Source and Recruit Co. frequently works with leaders interested in improving their skillsets. A recent article on Inc. caught our attention.

In it, the writer says that “getting people to follow you is about having them believe that you understand them, not that you're smarter than them.”

Some tactical advice:

1. Choose empathy over ego.
2. Don’t be embarrassed when you’re ignorant.
3. Be patient with yourself.
4. Tell people what they already know — but in new ways.

If you’re curious how to put these tactics in action, read on.