Markus van Alphen on Why Most Leaders Fail at Listening—And How to Fix It

Most leaders listen to respond—not to understand. 🤯In this episode, I sit down with Markus van Alphen, leadership psychologist and author of The Excellent Leader, to explore Observational Listening—a powerful skill that helps leaders go beyond active listening to truly understand emotions, build trust, and create psychological safety.We discuss:✅ Why most leaders struggle with listening—and how to fix it✅ The secret to creating psychologically safe teams✅ How Observational Listening improves leadership and influence✅ The biggest communication mistakes leaders make (and how to avoid them)If you want to become a leader people actually trust and follow, this episode is a must-listen!Chapters00:00 Introduction and Banter03:20 Leadership Psychology and Well-being05:51 Observational Listening Explained08:33 Authenticity in Leadership Communication11:12 Effective Communication Examples13:42 Creating a Safe Space for Dialogue16:13 The Importance of Observational Listening17:33 Common Pitfalls in Leadership19:18 The Power of Questions in Leadership22:40 Navigating Change and Communication26:14 Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility29:18 Advice to My Younger Self30:52 The Role of Technology in Leadership