We have the ability to communicate our thoughts in real time. We don’t need to plan what we’re going to say beforehand. This is great when we are brainstorming, or when there is an emergency and we need to issue a warning. It can be a problem when what we say is something we later wish we had either not said, or said differently. Continue reading »
A recent NY Times article titled: "Google’s Quest to Build a Better Boss." reports on a study Mr. Bock and his group from Google undertook to find out what makes a boss most successful.
Mr. Bock’s group found what employees valued most were even-keeled bosses who made time for one-on-one meetings, who helped people puzzle through problems by asking questions, not dictating answers, and who took an interest in employees’ lives and careers.
It should not surprise us that a focus on and return to the "basics" of effective business communication and human relationship is the secret, not only of being a successful leader, but also to dealing with complexity. Continue reading »
Conventional wisdom tells us that to have an effective meeting we need to have an agenda, keep things moving, and track action items. That is excellent advice when the purpose of the meeting is to work on everyday, routine issues. However, much more than an agenda is necessary if the group is to deal with complex challenges. Continue reading »
As a leader, your conversations become relationships. Taking responsibility for your thoughts, emotions, and for the message you need to deliver will allow you to speak with clarity, conviction, and compassion. How people feel after a conversation with you will determine if they will want to develop a relationship with you or not. It also affects the trust that develops. When relationships are on the line, there are no trivial comments.
This series is about how to elicit the thoughts and ideas of others and share yours in a way that promotes understanding and collaboration. Let’s look today at how to deal with reality.
The Creative Power of Dialogue and Collaboration. This past Saturday I visited Williamsburg, Virginia, the town that was home to some of the most important architects of the USA. Men like General Washington, Governor Jefferson, and Governor Henry. While walking the Colonial living history site, hearing the stories, and remembering the struggles of a small colonial community, I found myself meditating in the creative power of dialogue and collaboration.
In was in conversation and deep dialogue that a group of the funding fathers of our nation came up with the beginning of deeply democratic principles, which had the power to ignite a revolution and birth a nation. Standing in the historic room of the Capitol, the place where the Virginia Convention Unanimously adopted in June 12, 1776 “A Declaration of Rights” which was the seedling for our Constitution, was a very moving experience.
