GREAT LEADERS UNDERSTAND THE ART OF LISTENING

As an unpredictable general election approaches, some big names in politics can no longer be certain of holding onto their constituencies. And while we tend to find out a lot about candidates before polling day, we often hear little about what happens after members of parliament lose their seats.

Defeated politicians suddenly lose a demanding, busy but valued role. Suddenly they are no longer relevant to any political debate. Their deeply cherished values and beliefs seem to have no place. To add insult to injury, many of the people receive very little or no acknowledgement of their contribution over the years in office – nor had any interest been shown in putting their skills and experience to good use, either to help their party or wider society. Former politicians often seem to disappear, for example, “Nobody seems to want to know you after and you just fade away…there are those skills that could be used to encourage other people.”

The experience dislocating at best, but devastating and personally crushing even in the longer term for some. A minority appeared depressed. A number struggled to find employment. On the other hand, a couple of former leaders, narrowly and unexpectedly defeated, had soon flourished. The experience of defeat is so devastating to say the least. I have personally watched the Zambian political scene for over thirty years and one lesson I have picked is the importance of humility during the time in office and today I have this to say to my colleagues in politics, including my wife.

Most of the Zambian idioms carry rich wisdom for all of us. And today I would like to bring out one such idioms, “Mushebwa aile na mashinshi ku buko” It’s meaning is deep and I leave it for you to ask the Bembas for the meaning.

Chairman Mao Tse-tung once said and I now quote; "We should never pretend to know what we don't know, we should not feel ashamed to ask and learn from people below, and we should listen carefully to the views of the cadres at the lowest levels. Be a pupil before you become a teacher; learn from the cadres at the lower levels before you issue orders" end of quote.

While some may be impressed with how well you speak, the right people will be impressed with how well you listen. Great leaders are great listeners, and therefore my message today is a simple one - talk less and listen more. The best leaders are proactive, strategic, and intuitive listeners. They recognize knowledge and wisdom are not gained by talking, but by listening. Take a moment and reflect back on any great leader who comes to mind…you’ll find they are very adept at reading between the lines. The best leaders possess the mysterious ability to understand what is not said, witnessed, or heard. Warning: this isn't your typical piece on listening - it isn’t going to coddle you and leave you feeling warm and nebulous – it is intended for leaders and is rather blunt and to the point.

Want to become a better leader? Stop talking and start listening. Being a leader should not be viewed as a license to increase the volume of rhetoric. Rather judicious leaders know there is far more to be gained by surrendering the floor than by dominating it. In this age of instant communication everyone seems to be in such a rush to communicate what’s on their mind, they fail to realize the value of everything that can be gleaned from the minds of others. Show me a leader who doesn’t recognize the value of listening to others and I’ll show you a train-wreck in the making…

It is simply not possible to be a great leader without being a great communicator. This partially accounts for why we don’t encounter great leadership more often. The big miss for most leaders is that they fail to understand that the purpose of communication is not to message, but to engage – THIS REQUIRES LISTENING. Don’t be fooled into thinking that being heard is more important than hearing. The first rule in communication is to seek understanding before seeking to be understood. Communication is not a one way street. I’ve interviewed and worked with some of the most noted leaders of our time, and to the one, they never miss an opportunity to listen. In fact, they aggressively seek out new and better ways to listen.

Undoubtedly, the PF government has done a lot of good and we appreciate but the can certainly do more not by borrowing more to impress but by simply taking hide to the calls of our people. The covid-19 economy cannot give us more than we have now, all we need is the listening and approachable government. We cannot continue to go on with these cheap deals that leave our people empty handed and open mouthed. We are being asked to resist, rethink, and rebuild these deals with foreign exploiters. These are not partners; they are schemers and squeezers and spillers of this nation’s blood. Our people bleed and pay harsh prices when our Zambian political leaders hail these deals. For sure, it is great, but not for Zambia. In all these things lets think about tomorrow when we may possibly not be in office.

The Bible says he who has an ear let him hear.