The Skill You Were Never Taught: Listening with Your Eyes

Happy Wednesday!

Welcome to Leadership Unscripted. Each edition, we share 1 Case Study, 1 Framework, 1 Question. These are real moments and practical strategies for rethinking your approach to leadership.

Let’s dive in.

Darren was a VP of Engineering known for always having the answer. He spoke with confidence. He solved problems fast. And he moved meetings along with sharp clarity.

But one quarter, something shifted.

Turnover spiked. Projects missed key milestones. And after an engagement survey dipped unexpectedly, Darren got feedback from his team:

“It doesn’t feel like he hears us. He’s always two steps ahead — but not with us.”

In coaching, he bristled.
“I listen to everything they say.”

His coach pushed back.
“Maybe. But are you listening to what they don’t say?”

That hit.

The next week, Darren made a different kind of observation during a team check-in. One person avoided eye contact. Another crossed their arms. One fidgeted with their pen the entire meeting.

The room was full — but disengaged.

That moment flipped the switch.
He wasn’t reading the room. He was running it.

So he slowed down.
He started pausing longer after questions. Watching reactions. Asking follow-ups instead of filling silence.
And the change was immediate.

More voices emerged. Conversations opened up.
And Darren stopped being the smartest (and loudest) voice in the room — and started becoming the most attentive.

Because leadership presence isn’t about always talking.
It’s about seeing what others miss.

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1 Framework

The 3 Modes of Listening

Want to become a better communicator? Start by noticing more than just words.

Use this 3-part filter next time you’re in a conversation:

Hear – What’s being said? What’s the language being used — and avoided?

See – What’s the body doing? Is there hesitation? Discomfort? Avoidance?

Sense – What’s the energy in the room? What’s being felt but not named?

Real leadership happens in the gaps — not just in the sentences.

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1 Question

Words don’t always tell the whole story. 👉 When was the last time you noticed what your team wasn’t saying?

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Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

What’s one signal you almost missed, yet, are glad you caught?
Reply and share. These small moments often lead to the biggest breakthroughs.

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More to Explore

Want to sharpen your leadership presence and development?
Our Arrive. Leadership Academy supports new and rising leaders to learn the art of reading the room — not just running the meeting.

Explore Arrive →

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Real Stories. Real Tools. Real Impact.

Forget the fluff. We’re that company, revealing behind-the-scenes leadership wins and strategies that actually work.

Because all it takes is one bold move to shatter barriers, inspire your team, and make your mark.