Whether a director is talking with a team leader or the team leader is talking with a director, discussions will bear the most fruit if both strive to not be defensive. Same goes with team leaders and team members and team members with customers.

It should be noted that listening also includes awareness of body language, vocal cues, asking clarifying questions, and repeating back what you understood. You can’t claimed to have truly listened if you haven’t made every effort to understand what is being conveyed.