Want More Influence? Master This Overlooked Skill
By Nancy Fredericks
Nancy Fredericks pens Women Lead Change's "Mindful Mondays" column, appearing the second Monday of every month. Fredericks is a preeminent Business Executive Strategist, Author and Thought Leader. Corporations like Johnson & Johnson, PepsiCo, Adobe, Allergan and Transamerica have retained her to optimize individual and organizational performance. You can find her at www.thrivewithnancy.com. The views of Nancy Frederick's blogs represent her own and not necessarily the views of Women Lead Change.
You’re facing the toughest, most competitive business landscape of any generation.
So why waste time improving other skills before you get listening right? Mastering this one competency will propel you forward like nothing else.
Think You’re Already a Great Listener?
You might be tempted to skip this article, thinking, I’ve got this wired. But here’s the truth: Almost everyone believes they listen better than their peers.
A Wright University study of 8,000 professionals found that nearly all participants rated their listening skills as effective—or better than their co-workers. Sound familiar?
Yet, if everyone were such a great listener, wouldn’t the workplace be filled with fewer misunderstandings, stronger trust, and smoother collaboration?
Clearly, there’s a disconnect.
Why Listening Is Your Business Superpower
Let’s talk numbers:
- Hourly employees spend about 30% of their time listening
- Managers? 60%
- Executives? A staggering 75% or more
In fact, listening is estimated to account for 40% of your professional salary.
And here’s the kicker—despite its importance, fewer than 2% of people have received formal training in listening.
The Business Benefits of Better Listening
Mastering this skill isn’t just about being polite—it directly impacts your results.
When you truly listen, you:
- Gather more valuable information
- Build stronger trust
- Reduce conflict
- Overcome biases
- Inspire higher levels of engagement and commitment
That’s a lot of impact from just one skill.
The Silent Epidemic: Fake Listening
In today’s fast-paced, distraction-heavy world, pretend listening has become an art form.
We nod along while our minds race elsewhere—thinking about deadlines, unfinished proposals, or even what’s for dinner. We tune in for a few sentences, drift off, then snap back just in time to catch the end.
Sound familiar?
Your Brain’s Hidden Listening Potential
Your brain can process information at 450 words per minute, yet the average person speaks at only 125–175 words per minute. That’s a huge gap, creating space for your mind to wander.
To counteract this, you need to listen fiercely, consciously, and strategically.
How to Become an Elite Listener
- Listening well isn’t passive—it’s an active skill that requires:
- Slowing down and being fully present
- Tuning in with both ears (and your full attention)
- Focusing on words (only 7% of communication!)
- Reading facial expressions (55% of meaning) and tone of voice (38%)
- Controlling your wandering thoughts
- Resisting the urge to mentally rehearse your response while the other person is talking
Yes, it takes effort—but the payoff is worth it.
Ready to Level Up?
If you master listening, you’ll gain influence, strengthen relationships, and advance faster in your career.
So, are you in?
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