Why Most Leaders Think They're Listening—But Their Teams Don’t Agree
Oct 09, 2025Do You Really Listen at Work—Or Just Hear?
💬 “Are you being heard at work?”
It’s a simple question with huge impact.
📊 74% of employees say they’re more effective when they feel heard.
But only 27% believe their manager actually listens.
That gap? It's not about bad intentions. Most leaders aren’t ignoring people—they’re just overwhelmed. Constant meetings, never-ending metrics, and mental overload make it hard to be fully present.
But here’s the cost: when listening drops, so do trust, engagement, and performance. Quietly. Gradually. Until things start to break.
The Real Difference Between Hearing and Listening
We often confuse hearing and listening.
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Hearing is passive. It happens automatically.
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Listening is active. It’s emotional. It requires energy.
True listening is when your focus shifts from yourself to someone else. It’s not just about understanding words. It’s about understanding meaning.
Every conversation runs on two channels:
🧠 IQ channel – facts, logic, and data
❤️ EQ channel – tone, emotion, and nonverbal cues
Most leaders are trained to hear IQ. But real influence lives in the EQ channel.
When you start tuning into both, things change fast:
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You catch tension before it turns into conflict
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You spot potential others miss
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You build trust that lasts
Why This Matters for You as a Leader
When your team feels heard:
✅ They think more clearly
✅ They solve more problems
✅ They stay longer
✅ They bring more of themselves to work
This is the shift from managing tasks to leading humans. It’s the kind of leadership that creates real performance—not just short-term wins.
And like any skill, EQ-based listening can be learned. You just need the right tools, the right awareness, and the willingness to practice.
What Changes When You Work With Me
I coach leaders to become exceptional listeners—not by doing more, but by being more present. You’ll learn how to:
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Break free from distraction and stay connected
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Decode what’s really being said—even when it’s unsaid
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Build emotional trust that fuels better outcomes
When you lead this way, your people notice. They feel seen. And when people feel seen, they thrive.
Ready to Listen Like a Leader?
If you're tired of feeling disconnected from your team—or unsure why things aren't clicking—let’s talk.
📩 Email me at [email protected]
🔗 Or visit www.hooper-rees.com to learn more.