by Michelle Cummings

Listening is one of the most important skills in leadership – but it’s also one of the easiest to fake. You can nod, smile, and even repeat back a few words, all while planning your next comment. But true listening asks something deeper: patience. And nothing reveals a listening gap faster than interruption.

Most interruptions don’t come from a place of disrespect. They come from habit, urgency, or the belief that we already know what’s coming next. But when we interrupt or shift the conversation before the speaker finishes, we cut short more than their words. We cut short their thinking, their trust, and their willingness to fully engage.