Hey there,
When I was little, I had chronic ear infections. We’re talking full-on swim band over earplugs, Halloween-costume-with-earmuffs level protection. If water got in, I got sick. Simple as that.
But even when I stayed dry, sometimes my ears would feel plugged—like I was only catching half the world around me. And that? That muffled sensation? It feels a lot like what leadership can become if we’re not careful.
Let’s talk about it.
Leadership
We walk into meetings, conversations, one-on-ones… and we hear what’s being said.
But not what’s being meant.
We miss the pause. The inflection. The thing someone didn’t say. The tone that told a different story.
Hearing is passive. Listening is leadership.
When leaders walk around with “plugged ears”—figuratively speaking—we miss the deeper layers. The chance to build trust. The signals that someone’s checked out or holding something back.
Listening isn’t just about catching words.
It’s about catching meaning.
It’s the difference between a disengaged team and a thriving one.
Let’s train ourselves to listen like leaders—intentionally, curiously, and fully tuned in.
Life
Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can offer isn’t advice—it’s presence.
In our personal lives, listening isn’t about fixing.
It’s about being a safe place.
The kind of friend who doesn’t rush to respond.
The kind of partner who doesn’t immediately offer a solution.
The kind of parent who can just sit with the hard thing instead of redirecting it.
“I hear you. I’m with you. You’re not alone in this.”
That quiet kind of listening? It matters.
Not the loud, flashy, fix-it kind—but the steady, comforting “you matter” kind.
Let’s not underestimate what that kind of presence can do.
Thanks for reading. Here’s to leading—and living—with ears wide open.
Out there happening to the world,
Lisa
P.S. Hit reply anytime to share your stories, ask questions, or celebrate your latest win—I’d love to hear from you!