Albert Einstein, on being congratulated that an experiment had confirmed a prediction in his theories of relativity, said, “No amount of experimentation will ever prove me completely right, but one new fact can prove me completely wrong.” Certainty should be reserved for things which are eternally, unquestionably true. Not much meets this criterion. Let’s adopt […]
If they don’t hear it from us day in and day out, how will our teams ever be able to navigate the constant craziness of work to help us deliver that vision? In your corner, Mike
Having difficulty getting others to see your point of view? Start by demonstrating that you understand theirs. Having difficulty demonstrating that you understand their point of view? Start by asking them about it. When people know you have understood them, they quite naturally open to understanding you. In your corner, Mike Today’s photo credit: […]
Tell, tell, tell, yell. (To which we all respond with hide, fight, complain, and deflect.) Easy but not so effective, is it? What does work? Build relationship and trust constantly. Agree to argue the points not the personalities. Agree on the why and outcomes before the how, when, and who details. Make sure everyone is […]
To get others to see things our way, we can try being louder, more energetic, more logical, more polite, or more correct. Or (and this is much faster) we can first demonstrate to their satisfaction that we understand their way of seeing it. In your corner, Mike Today’s photo credit: jimsheaffer Disco Ball […]
Language is a very narrow pipe. Depending on the mindset of our listener, what we say can come across a little or a lot differently than we intend. We cannot rely solely on words to communicate clearly, completely. The most important thing we can do to improve the chances that we communicate well is to […]
Presence is simply staying focused on what’s happening now instead of worrying about the future, regretting the past, defending ourselves (“Here’s why I am justified…”), or attacking others (“I am so right and you/they are not”). There is a gift inside every moment. We miss the gift when we are too busy worrying, regretting, defending, […]
Reasons people don’t listen: Our approach feels bad to them. They don’t see how what we have to say connects to what they care about right now. They are ignorant, stupid, or rude. It’s almost never reason #3. In your corner, Mike Today’s photo credit: reMuse cc
When we as leaders fail to overcommunicate our intent, goals, progress, values, issues, and dreams, we leave a giant void that others are left to fill on their own. They will each make up a different (usually quite wrong) version of the truth and then will act as if their story is true. The ensuing […]
It happens all the time. We finish a conversation and (often much) later think of a better way we could have listened, empathized, queried, coached, argued, or explained. It’s frustrating. But we don’t have to live with it. Whether we are leading, selling, or collaborating (or parenting, relating, counseling, etc.) we can always go back. […]