Coffin Corner

Bill, 

Ken Gosnell here. After two decades in business I am confident to make the following statement.  To build a great company for a greater purpose, the company must be led by great leaders who are great listeners.  Here is a key question for you to consider today: Am I the Chief Listening Officer of my company?  

This month at our C12 Roundtables I will be leading a discussion of CEO's on how to enhance and improve our listening skills in every area of our life.  Here is a truth that you know.  Our performance and potential as leaders can be severely hampered by our limited listening skills.  

I am putting on the finishing touches in preparation of our first roundtable next week but I would like you help.  I will be sending a "CEO listening survey" out tomorrow and I would love to get your feedback on how and who you should be listening to in your organization.  

But for today, I wanted to leave you with a little inspiration.  Watch the short video by Jeffrey Immelt (CLO - Chief Listening Officer of GE). The video highlights the importance of listening as a leader.  Catch his last statement where he states, "In all of my years of leadership, I have not met a single leader of a great organization who was not a good listener."  Wow.  That should motivate us to be a better listener today.

 

Jeff Immelt on listening