From Cadet to Corporate Culture: What SOLER Taught Me About Listening at Scale

When I was a cadet, I learned the importance of active listening, a skill that feels increasingly rare in today’s gadget-driven world. Active listening means being fully present in a conversation, not just processing words but noticing tone and body language.

The lesson was captured in the acronym SOLER:

• S – Sit Squarely: Face the speaker to show focus.

• O – Open Posture: Avoid crossing arms or legs; it can signal defensiveness.

• L – Lean Forward: A subtle lean communicates interest and invites dialogue.

• E – Eye Contact: Maintain connection, without staring.

• R – Relax: Create space for the other person to speak comfortably.

As a leader, practicing SOLER has been invaluable. But as I reflect on that lesson, I ask: What does active listening look like at the organizational level? How do we show thousands of employees that their voices matter?

A few principles stand out:

• Be empathetic and respectful. When employees share their experiences, they may feel both vulnerable and hopeful. Acknowledge that courage.

• Listen before, not after. Don’t just gather feedback post-decision. Invite perspectives early, when they can shape outcomes.

• Act on what you hear. The clearest signal that someone has been heard is the action you take. Often, small “micro-improvements” by leaders carry the greatest weight.

If we keep leaning in and staying open, we can build organizations where everyone feels heard, not just in conversation, but in the culture itself.