This seminar covers the concept of listening as a transformative element of leadership. In the past year, I’ve had several realizations due to carefully listening to others when they were voicing opinions and concerns. This transformed my service at a time when the challenge of ISKCON administration was wearing me out. What I gained, and continue to gain, has impacted me in more ways than I could have imagined. This includes having a better understanding of the difference between leadership and management, an ability to hear others without getting dismissive or defensive, and a sense of service with more trust and less fear. Just as listening is an integral part of the practice of Krishna Bhakti, sravanam being the key to spiritual growth, I have come to see listening as an essential element of effective leadership. I’ll share my story of how my choosing to listen has opened up better ways of leading and living, for me.