Inside the Conversation
Many leaders believe communication problems begin when people stop paying attention. But what if the breakdown starts much earlier, when leaders move into directing before fully understanding what they are hearing?
In this episode, Cerila Gailliard, PMP, CSM sits down with David Deighton to explore how active listening influences leadership, decision-making, and business execution. Together they discuss how assumptions form, why triggers interrupt understanding, and how listening with intention can strengthen clarity before direction is given.
If you are leading a growing business, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about how communication shapes leadership, alignment, and execution.
Core Lessons From This Conversation
#1 Listening is more than words.
Active listening requires engaging beyond the spoken message. Paying attention to context, environment, and nonverbal cues creates a deeper level of understanding before decisions are made.
#2 Triggers can interrupt leadership clarity.
When leaders become triggered by words, assumptions, or reactions, they often shift from listening into directing. That subtle transition can lead to misinterpretation and inconsistent decisions across the organization.
#3 Small listening habits produce better decisions. Improving communication does not require dramatic change. Small, intentional habits that slow down understanding before responding help leaders build stronger relationships and make clearer deicsions
Episode Breakdown
00:00 – Introduction: Why leaders stop listening before they start directing
01:15 – Meet David Deighton and today’s conversation
04:00 – What active listening really means
08:40 – Practicing listening with all five senses
14:30 – Triggers that interrupt listening
16:00 – Handling difficult conversations without reacting
24:45 – What happens inside a growing business when leaders stop listening
29:40 – Applying active listening in everyday leadership
33:30 – What to do when your organization is already in chaos
36:30 – Why listening is one of the first habits leaders lose under pressure
41:40 – Reflection question and closing thoughts
Your Go-To Resource List
✉️ Email → david@TriptychDialogue.com
🌐 Website → https://www.triptychdialogue.com/
🔗 Connect with David Deighton → YouTube
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