
Listening with the Grain Worksheet
Great leaders listen with the grain of a conversation. Their intent is to understand and learn from the speaker, not to merely confirm what the leader already believes or to deliver a pre-determined response.
Sometimes we struggle to get it right. We make assumptions or fail to fully understand what a team member is telling us.
Use this worksheet to explore a time you struggled to listen with the grain of the conversation in the past and to identify what you can do better in the future.

Patrick Leddin, PhD is a speaker, global leadership consultant, and The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Five-Week Leadership Challenge. Patrick is an Associate Professor at Vanderbilt University with a thriving leadership blog and podcast, and 25-years of leadership experience. He offers an unparalleled mix of academic rigor and real-world experience.