Leadership Listening That Supports Others' Thinking

Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud · Nov 5, 2026 · 12m

If leaders want to create conditions where people can think, contribute, and grow, how they listen matters.

Consider what happens in a school when a teacher shares an idea that isn’t fully formed, raises a concern about a new curriculum, or reflects on how students responded during a lesson. The way a principal, instructional coach, PLC facilitator, or colleague listens can support the teacher thinking further or bring the conversation and the thinking to a close.

Read Greg Satell's article, "Great Leaders Know How to Listen. Here Are 3 Skills to Master" here.

Listen to the podcast, "Before…