144 - Listening 101 for Better Communication

In this podcast episode, I’m diving back into a crucial but often overlooked communication skill: active listening.

It sounds simple, but in reality, truly listening, especially in fast-paced, distraction-heavy environments, is far from easy. Whether you're in a virtual meeting or face-to-face, your ability to listen well is a key part of your global leadership impact, helping you build trust, demonstrate emotional and cultural intelligence.

We explore what it means to make a conscious choice to listen, how to manage the distractions that pull your attention away, and why showing you’re listening (even without speaking) is essential for career growth and leadership development.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why active listening is a cornerstone of effective communication.
• The three types of distractions you need to manage.
• How to show you're fully present, through body language and non-verbal cues.
• What “intelligent listening” looks like, and how to read between the lines.
• Simple techniques to bring your focus back when your mind drifts.

Reflection Questions:

• How intentional are you about listening in meetings and conversations?
• What distracts you most, and how could you manage that better?
• Which strategy will you try first to strengthen your listening skills?

For more on developing the communication skills every global leader needs, don’t forget to explore my free training resource Global Leader Impact. Download it now at: https://www.culturecuppa.com/leader 

Resources:

• Access my free resource: Global Leader Impact: https://culturecuppa.com/leader
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights