Are you speaking their language?

Taking notes is a way to listen that helps you build your professional presence and influence. As you advance in your career, it becomes important to read the room and communicate thoughtfully with executives. Rather than simply waiting for your chance to talk, write down the words, priorities, and concerns your senior leaders mention most often.

When it’s your turn to give an update, use the same language to talk about your work. By using the words your leaders use, you show that you are in tune with the company culture and understand the main goals of the business. This helps you avoid sounding out of touch.

Good listening also means noticing what’s not being said. Watch which topics get people interested and which ones are ignored. This shows you what the company values most right now, which might be different from what you find important. If you focus your daily work on these top priorities, your efforts will be noticed and valued by those who can influence your career. This helps you focus on what matters most to the organization.

Put these approaches into practice.

Let’s look at practical ways to take rigorous notes not just for tasks, but to capture the “language of leadership.”