The Importance of Active Listening with Debbie Michael

Read this exclusive conversation with Debbie Michael. Learn more during the podcast interview on Change Starts Here. WATCH HERE

Dustin: So, when you think about highly effective leaders, especially at the school building level or district level, what are the most important traits that you think those leaders need to have?

Debbie: I think the one thing that I had to practice in the beginning and I think I had to really learn ­– and then it turned out to be one of the greatest strengths that I had – was the ability to listen. And when I talk about listening, it’s like that active listening. Really being present. Whoever came through my door and sat down and needed to debrief or needed to ask a question or whatever they needed… I needed to listen. It didn’t matter what was happening on my laptop, it didn’t matter what was happening outside my door. That person who I was with, I was with that person in that moment, and just being present. And I think that has really helped me understand the complexities of running a school and knowing all the ups and downs and all the things that can happen in a given day.

Dustin: Yeah, the power of listening, it’s says easy, does hard, right? I mean, there’s so many things that get in the way of that.