How to Lead by Listening – And Why It’s Better Than Giving Advice

In a world where advice seems to flow freely, as a leader, the best counsel you can offer your team may paradoxically be to stop giving advice altogether. Our eagerness to share solutions often overshadows the importance of genuine listening and the empowerment that comes from self-discovery.

You may be familiar with this famous quote from Epictetus: “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” As a leadership presence and speaking coach, my clients come to me looking for advice and ready-made answers, but I have discovered over the years that often I can serve them better by heeding Epictetus and leaning into active listening, allowing individuals the space to express (and discover) themselves.