In this episode, Clint talks with M.J. Clark – Vice President at Integrated Leadership Systems and author of “Leading Through Listening” – about why listening is one of the most overlooked yet powerful leadership skills, and how it directly impacts trust, communication, and team performance.<br /><br />Drawing from her experience as a leadership consultant and executive coach, M.J. shares how many leaders unintentionally undermine their teams by talking too much, steering conversations, or failing to create an environment where people feel heard. She explains what “quiet leadership” looks like in practice, how to use questions instead of answers to empower teams, and why psychological safety starts with how leaders listen.<br /><br />Through personal stories and real-world examples, M.J. highlights how better listening leads to stronger collaboration, more innovative thinking, and deeper respect across teams.This is the first part of a two-part conversation.<br /><br />Topics Covered:<br /><ul><li>The difference between talking to lead and listening to lead</li><li>How “quiet leadership” empowers teams to find their own answers</li><li>Why leaders who dominate conversations limit team performance</li><li>The role of psychological safety in open communication</li><li>How to recognize when a team doesn’t feel heard</li><li>The concept of conversational turn-taking and why it matters</li><li>How leaders can draw out quieter voices in meetings</li><li>The impact of listening on trust, respect, and team dynamics</li><li>Common communication habits that unintentionally shut people down</li><li>The connection between listening and better decision-making</li><li>Why diverse perspectives strengthen team outcomes</li><li>How self-awareness shapes effective communication</li></ul>Links:<br />M.J.’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjclark22/<br />M.J.’s book, “Leading Through Listening” - https://amzn.to/4ugN22q