Welcome to The Learn-It-All Podcast’s 11 Skills AI Will Never Replace-- our new 11-part special series exploring the essential human skills that AI cannot replicate. With the start of the new year, we’re all facing unprecedented technological disruption and workplace transformation. To help you thrive in this new landscape, we're excited to be partnering with MuchSkills, a platform that helps companies identify and track their employees' skills.

Together, we've analyzed data from 28,000 professionals to identify the capabilities that will make you irreplaceable in an AI-enhanced workplace. Each week, we'll dive deep into one critical skill, providing you with actionable strategies and expert insights to future-proof your career. This series isn't just about adapting to change – it's about mastering the unique human abilities that will define leadership success in the age of AI.

Master the Art of Deep Listening: A Critical Leadership Skill AI Can't Replace

Are your listening skills truly as strong as you think they are? In an era of constant digital interruptions and mounting pressure to multitask, most leaders overestimate their listening abilities. In fact, according to research from The Workforce Institute,* 86% of employees feel they are not heard "fairly or equally," and 63% believe their voice has been ignored by their employer or manager.

In this episode, host Damon Lembi and leadership expert Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins dive deep into the often-overlooked power of authentic listening. They explore why most leaders think they're better listeners than they are and reveal practical strategies to elevate your listening from a basic communication skill into a leadership superpower that drives better decision-making, stronger relationships, and improved team performance.

* https://www.ukg.com/workforce-institute

This Episode Covers:

Why traditional "hearing and responding" fails to capture the full scope of effective listening, and how to evolve beyond surface-level communication
The E.A.R. framework (Engagement, Attunement, Respect) for developing superior listening skills that build trust and foster innovation
Common listening pitfalls that even experienced leaders fall into, including "listening to fix" instead of understanding
How the "closeness communication bias" causes leaders to demonstrate their worst listening behaviors with their closest team members
The critical connection between listening quality and decision-making effectiveness
Practical techniques for assessing and improving your listening skills, including specific feedback strategies
The often-overlooked impact of non-verbal presence on listening effectiveness, especially in virtual environment.

Episode Highlights:

(00:00)Introduction to Listening as a Superpower – Damon and Mickey discuss the importance of mastering the skill of listening to thrive in the modern workplace.

(03:30) The Importance of Empathy in Listening – Mickey shares a personal story illustrating the difference between listening to fix problems and listening to understand.

(06:30) Listening as a Core Leadership Skill – They highlight how listening is crucial not only for leaders but for everyone in the workplace to foster connection and innovation.

(10:15) Common Listening Pitfalls – Mickey talks about distractions, interrupting, and judgment as common barriers to effective listening.

(17:00) The EAR Model of Listening – Mickey breaks down the components of the EAR model: Engagement, Attunement, and Respect, and how they can improve your listening skills.

(24:00) How Listening Enhances Decision-Making – The conversation shifts to how being an active listener leads to better, more informed decisions in the workplace.

About Damon

Damon Lembi is a 2x bestselling author, the host of The Learn-It-All Podcast, and CEO of Learnit – a live learning platform that has upskilled over 2 million people. Drawing from his prior baseball career, Damon brings an athlete’s perspective to leadership. Through his journey, he has gained invaluable insights into what helps organizations grow, how great leaders learn, and why learn-it-all companies outpace their competitors every time.

About Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins

Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins is a dynamic leadership development expert who serves as a Leadership and Professional Development Facilitator at Learnit. With a PhD in Leadership in Higher Education from Northcentral University focusing on middle manager self-efficacy, Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins is a dynamic leadership development expert who serves as a Leadership and Professional Development Facilitator at Learnit. With a PhD in Leadership in Higher Education from Northcentral University focusing on middle manager self-efficacy, her expertise spans performance management, program development, and equity initiatives, while her high-energy approach has proven effective in leading teams across educational institutions and technology companies.

Resources Mentioned:

Learnit’s “Make Listening Your Superpower” Workshop

Learnit’s EAR Model of Active Listening ebook

The Learn-It-All Leader by Damon Lembi

MuchSkills

The Learn-It-All Podcast Episode with Doug Conant

Podcast Contact Information:

Website: www.learnit.com

Email: podcast@learnit.com

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