Listening as a Leadership Skill

One of my favorite books is Listening is an Act of Love by David Isay. I have been inspired by his work on the StoryCorps project and have interviewed both of my parents in the recording booth that used to be in Grand Central.

In my work as a clinical psychologist, listening is an active, intentional skill. It means paying attention not just to what is said, but to what is underneath it. It means holding space for different perspectives, asking thoughtful questions, and working to understand before jumping to conclusions. These same skills are essential in effective leadership.

In a school community, there are always multiple voices at the table - students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members - often with different experiences and, at times, competing priorities. Good leadership isn’t about having the quickest answer; it’s about making sure people feel heard and understood, especially when the issues are complex or emotionally charged.

Listening also creates better decisions. When people feel safe sharing their perspectives, you get a fuller picture of what’s actually happening. You begin to see patterns, understand concerns more deeply, and identify solutions that are more thoughtful and sustainable. Without that, it’s easy to make decisions that miss important pieces of the story.

As a psychologist, I’m trained to stay curious, to tolerate ambiguity, and to approach challenges without being reactive. These are skills that matter in school leadership, where decisions often need to balance differing viewpoints while keeping the well-being of students at the center.

Listening involves taking the time to understand, communicating openly, and moving forward with clarity and respect. In my view, that’s what strong leadership looks like - and it’s the approach I would bring to the Haldane School Board.