Listen Well, Lead Better

Becoming the Leader People Want to Follow

Cover Art

Where to Purchase

About

Be a Leader People Want to Follow

Many leaders are missing an essential ingredient to greater influence. They might be amazing visionaries, implementers, and even orators, but if they don't listen well, they're leading beneath their potential.

In Listen Well, Lead Better, Steve and Becky Harling share ten practices that will transform your listening skills. Written for leaders at all levels of churches, nonprofits, and businesses, this immensely practical book will teach you how to:

· Make people feel known and valued
· Ask better questions (to get better input)
· Create a culture of collaboration and cooperation
· Achieve greater credibility
· Engage conflict constructively
· And much more

Filled with biblical wisdom and actionable ideas for a wide range of organizations, this book will equip you to communicate better and be a leader people want to follow.

"Packed with ear-opening insights that will help you increase self-awareness and engage those you lead and love at a deeper level of soul."--TIM LUCAS, author of Liquid Church

"Valuable help for every rung of the leadership ladder."--CAROL KENT, author of Speak Up with Confidence

Steve Harling is a thirty-five-year veteran of church and nonprofit leadership. As the president of a global ministry, Steve travels around the world mentoring leaders and speaking at mission events, Bible conferences, and leadership retreats.

Becky Harling is a certified speaker, leadership coach, and trainer with the John Maxwell Team. She is the author of several books, including How to Listen So People Will Talk, and she speaks nationally and internationally at conferences, retreats, and training events. The Harlings travel widely from their home base in Colorado Springs.


Endorsements

"Listen Well, Lead Better is a God-inspired book written by a God-inspired couple. Steve and Becky are passionate about real, authentic relationships with people they serve alongside, and this book will inspire and equip you to lead like Jesus. The words in these pages reflect the depth and closeness of walk that Steve and Becky have with their Lord and Savior, and the heart they have for the people in their lives."

Evan Carlson, president, Family Life Radio

"People long to be listened to and led well. The Harlings are masters at both! If you lead anyone, this motivating, practical, and biblical book will show you how to be a listening leader who builds and blesses others all while moving the organization forward in a healthy way."

Pam and Bill Farrel, international speakers; authors of 48 books, including the bestselling Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti; and co-directors, Love-Wise Ministries

"If you don't care about improving as a leader, pass this book on by. If you truly want to be a better leader, move this book to the TOP of your list. It's guaranteed not only to grow you as a leader--it will grow you as a person. People will respect you more and you'll grow in respect for yourself. Enjoy the wisdom of this book and lead much better."

Ron Forseth, founding executive editor, ChurchLeaders.com

"I've known Steve and Becky Harling for years, and I've watched them walk through good times and very challenging times in leadership. They are leaders of integrity who are intentional to listen well so that they might lead more effectively."

Dr. Jim Garlow, lifelong pastor; CEO, Well Versed

"If you want to grow, if you want to lead effectively, this book will provide you with the necessary secret. From the first key learning to the last question provided, Steve and Becky lead readers through thought-provoking stories and self-reflective questions to become the listening leaders that others want to follow."

Greg and Julie Gorman, founders, Married for a Purpose

"Effective influencers embrace the importance of leading themselves before leading others, and Listen Well, Lead Better unpacks that reality in ways that are powerful as well as practical. Steve and Becky Harling are the real deal, and these pages deliver an authentic invitation into leadership that is communal, not just institutional."

Matt Heard, lead pastor, Northland Church; founder, THRIVE

"The driver never gets carsick. Wise leaders are keenly aware of the needs, and even the nausea, of colleagues on the ministry journey. The Harlings have written an immensely practical guidebook for caring, listening, and self-aware leadership. Get equipped to reach your destination with an intact and healthy team."

Daniel Henderson, founder/president, Strategic Renewal

"This book is chock-full of practical advice on how to listen better, such as lists of great questions to ask, which is so important to listening well."

Bruce Johnson, president, SIM USA

"Steve and Becky Harling have hit a home run! If you're in any kind of Christian leadership, this is the book you need to read. It provides wisdom, insight, and practical tools to shape vision and influence people in a Jesus-hearted way. You'll get valuable help for every rung of the leadership ladder."

Carol Kent, executive director, Speak Up Ministries; author, Speak Up with Confidence

"As a young communicator, I didn't understand that God gave us two ears and one mouth to make a point: it's a divine cue to listen twice as much as we speak! In this powerful book, Steve and Becky Harling cast a compelling challenge for effective leaders to reclaim the lost art of deep listening. In a noisy world where leaders raise their voices to be heard, this is a truly countercultural message. Listen Well, Lead Better is packed with ear-opening insights that will help you increase self-awareness and engage those you lead and love at a deeper level of soul. Lean in and listen to what these communication experts have to say!"

Tim Lucas, founder and lead pastor, Liquid Church; author, Liquid Church: 6 Powerful Currents to Saturate Your City for Christ

"Steve and Becky have done it again! With Listen Well, Lead Better: Becoming the Leader People Want to Follow, they continue to provide leaders with the tools they need to establish trust, increase discernment, and communicate effectively. By applying the techniques Steve and Becky share, leaders who read this book will certainly broaden their spheres of influence."

Ellie Nieves, president and CEO, Leadership Strategies for Women

"Steve and Becky's honesty and transparency in sharing successes and failures is valuable, and entertaining! Their practical tips and questions make it easy to implement healthy practices immediately."

Kim and Bob Westfall, founders, Uncaged/Westfall Gold

"In one phrase, Becky and Steve have summarized the leadership secret to producing engaged teams--a humble ear. Without exception, consistent successful group outcomes occur when leaders have a sensitive ear for what's important to their people. With refreshing transparency, the Harlings provide a practical tool that revives what appears to be a lost art in leadership--good listening. If you are serious about leading, this book is an excellent place to start."

Rick Whitted, speaker; workplace consultant; and author, Outgrow Your Space at Work


The Authors

  1. Steve Harling

    Steve Harling

    Steve Harling is a thirty-five-year veteran of church and nonprofit leadership. As the president of a global ministry, Steve travels around the world mentoring leaders and speaking at mission events, Bible conferences, and leadership retreats.

    Continue reading about Steve Harling

  2. Becky Harling

    Becky Harling

    A bestselling author, Becky Harling (BeckyHarling.com) has written fifteen books and is a popular speaker at conferences, retreats, and other events. She has been a guest on many radio and TV shows, including Focus on the Family, FamilyLife...

    Continue reading about Becky Harling