"Listening is a skill that's vitally important, sadly undertaught, and physically and mentally taxing. In the aftermath of Covid-19, particularly with the shift to remote work and the red-hot job market, it's never been more important or more difficult for leaders to be good listeners." ~ Harvard Business Review

Have you ever felt you weren't being heard? As an employee or a leader, there is rarely anything more frustrating than when others fail to listen to what you have to say. We've all experienced it at various times in our lives, which should be a constant reminder of how important it is to make it a priority. Active listening can be challenging, but it's well worth the effort. Read this article from Harvard Business Review, How to Become a Better Listener, to learn more. Then, consider your score on your Active Listening Self-Assessment and reply to the following questions.

• Consider your own experiences at work, home, or school when you felt you weren't being heard. What kind of effect did that have on you?

• How important do you think it is for a leader to be an active listener?

• Do you consider yourself an active listener? What do you do well and what could you do better?