Why Great Ideas Die In Meetings
Most executives listen to reload rather than understand. Jonathan Parker shares how active listening can prevent irrelevance for growth-oriented leaders in this NxtPoint edition.
You are running fast. Your competitors are getting bigger. You feel the pressure to have all the answers right now.
Because of that, you have stopped listening.
You hear the first ten seconds of a suggestion and your brain immediately starts building the rebuttal or the "better" version. You are "reloading" while they are still speaking. This kills innovation. It makes your team feel invisible. Eventually, they stop trying to innovate. They just wait for your command.
Scaling a business requires intentional dialogue. You must be known for "answering well" rather than just answering fast. Answering well requires you to process the Intimacy and Self-Orientation of the person across from you.
The "Answer Well" Test: In your next three meetings, follow these two rules:
- The 3-Second Rule: After someone finishes speaking, count to three in your head before responding.
- The Verification Loop: Start your response with, "What I heard you say was [X]. Did I get that right?"
This forces you to listen to the content, not just the cues. It changes the dynamic from a performance to a partnership.
Are you listening to win the conversation, or are you listening to grow the company?
Keep building,
Jonathan