A Word to the Wise:
A surprising number of leaders don’t listen to understand. They listen to disagree.
This approach to listening allows leaders to stand out for their expertise, intelligence, and conviction. Unfortunately, it also robs them of their ability to connect with and learn from others, making them susceptible to poor decisions, false assumptions, and untested viewpoints.
Simply stated, leaders who listen to disagree process information in order to discern difference. They don’t listen to understand the views of others. They listen to find discrepancy.
When curiosity, learning, and personal growth take a backseat to the goal of being the smartest person in the room, listening becomes a weapon, not a tool for shared understanding.
Maybe you know a leader who listens to disagree. Share this Field Note with them. But don’t be surprised if they argue against it while they are reading it.
Admired Leadership Field Notes, 5.29.26, Leaders Who Listen to Disagree
A surprising number of leaders don’t listen to understand. They listen to disagree.
This approach to listening allows leaders to stand out for their expertise, intelligence, and conviction. Unfortunately, it also robs them of their ability to connect with and learn from others, making them susceptible to poor decisions, false assumptions, and untested viewpoints.
Simply stated, leaders who listen to disagree process information in order to discern difference. They don’t listen to understand the views of others. They listen to find discrepancy.
When curiosity, learning, and personal growth take a backseat to the goal of being the smartest person in the room, listening becomes a weapon, not a tool for shared understanding.
Maybe you know a leader who listens to disagree. Share this Field Note with them. But don’t be surprised if they argue against it while they are reading it.
Admired Leadership Field Notes, 5.29.26, Leaders Who Listen to Disagree
Four Things to Know This Week
1. First-Person: Considerations Before the SBC Annual Meeting in 2026 (Trevin Wax, Baptist Press)
2. Resolutions Committee Releases Slate for 2026 SBC Annual Meeting (Baptist Press)
3. The Root of Anxiety and How to Fight It (John Piper)
4. 9 Steps When You Can’t Figure Out God’s Will (Chuck Lawless)
Thank you for reading. Please share it with pastors and other AMSs you believe would benefit.
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
I also host the “SBCAL Podcast with Ray Gentry” each Tuesday morning.
1. First-Person: Considerations Before the SBC Annual Meeting in 2026 (Trevin Wax, Baptist Press)
2. Resolutions Committee Releases Slate for 2026 SBC Annual Meeting (Baptist Press)
3. The Root of Anxiety and How to Fight It (John Piper)
4. 9 Steps When You Can’t Figure Out God’s Will (Chuck Lawless)
Thank you for reading. Please share it with pastors and other AMSs you believe would benefit.
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
I also host the “SBCAL Podcast with Ray Gentry” each Tuesday morning.
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