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The Thoughtful Leaders™ BlogSlow it down and keep it real
Related Posts:Leave a ReplyOne important question for getting your team on the same page
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We highly recommend “overcommunication” to our clients. We tell our clients, repeatedly, that they should share with others what they know, what they don’t know, what they can disclose, what they can’t disclose, why they can’t disclose something, when they might disclose something – basically everything possible. Because if they don’t – if they leave a void – the people around them will make something up. Related Posts:Leave a ReplyJust say no
Related Posts:Leave a ReplyWhat Are You Building? A traveler is passing by a construction site where he sees three workers. He asks the first: “What are you doing?” The worker says, “I’m cutting this stone.” The traveler asks the next man, “What are you doing?” The second worker says, “I’m earning a paycheck.” The traveler asks the next, “What are you doing?” And the third worker says, “I’m building a magnificent cathedral.” Related Posts:Leave a ReplyUser’s Manual to your manager
Related Posts:Leave a ReplyLeadership lessons from deep in a copper mine
Related Posts:Leave a ReplyWAIT! Why Am I Talking?
Related Posts:2 Responses to “WAIT! Why Am I Talking?”Leave a Reply |
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A recent blog post on the HBR Daily Alert caught my eye, the title of which was “
Often when we work with an organization, we conduct a data-gathering and assessment process we call the Organizational Effectiveness Assessment™ to further understand dynamics within the organization and dig deeper to discover what is really going on. In interviewing employees or other stakeholders, one of our favorite questions to ask is: “In your own words, what is the mission or purpose of your organization/department/team? Why do you exist?”
I have a client who is in overwhelm. How do I know? She personally told me that she has thousands and thousands of unread emails…that she will never get to. And everyone around her has confidentially told me that my client simply promises too much, overcommits, and just plain old “works too hard.” In essence, she “overpromises” and “underdelivers” – which is the exact opposite of what we coach our clients to do. We strongly suggest that they “underpromise” and “overdeliver” – thereby giving themselves some breathing space and wowing those around them with on-time (and even early) delivery of stellar results.
I was reminded last week of the following parable:
There is increasing interest in the business world in “onboarding”, the process by which managers and executives are oriented to, and integrated into, an organization. Books like The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins have become bestsellers, and organizations of all sizes are more mindful than ever about the importance of the first three months at a new job.
Everyone is all too familiar with the amazing story of survival coming out of Chile. Thirty-three miners trapped in a copper mine half a mile below the surface after a collapse on August 5th. Just as most had given up hope, rescue workers discovered a note tied to a drilling tube that read: “We are fine in the refuge, the 33.” Few of us can imagine surviving such an ordeal, let alone using our leadership and teaming skills to thrive, yet that is what these 33 men are doing as they wait for what could be 4 months before they can be reached and brought to safety.
I learned a new acronym today – WAIT. It stands for “Why Am I Talking?” I have it up on the bulletin board in my office to remind me to talk less and listen more during my coaching and other important conversations. I am naturally more of a thinker than a talker, but there are times when I get so excited, passionate or incensed about something that I talk way more than I listen. I may even talk over or interrupt the other person as I look to get my point across or share my Very Important Bit of Knowledge.
Hi Robyn,
This is one of my favorite acronyms, great to see it reinforced! I reference it in my coaching, and think about it with personal interactions too. Thanks for raising up!
Best,
Randi Raskin Nash
Randi,
You’re welcome! It’s one of my favorites too. It certainly serves as a great reminder that you have two ears and one mouth for a reason – and it’s amazing what happens when we use them accordingly.