Principals and assistant principals find themselves in a variety of situations in which listening can be their most important activity. In this article, the author shares his experience that highlighted how important listening can be. He also discusses empathic listening, a kind of listening that "involves a paradox of control" in which the listener controls him or herself and lets go of the urge to control the other. He recommends that school administrators respond to the need to be listened to in their students, parents of these students, their staff members, and their colleagues through the practice of listening not only with vigilance, but also with empathy.