Looking for an icebreaker at your next team meeting or summer employee get-together? Here is the only icebreaker I use, because committed people-centered leaders can take it back to the workplace to help build healthy relationships.
When we really listen . . . people tell us what’s on their mind. My #1 saying to new leaders is, “Mind reader is not in your job description. Focus on listening well, making leadership decisions based on what you hear, and repeat often.” Here is what your clicks showed me in the last month, and how clicks and questions help us start great conversations with our teams.
When we ask questions of people and provide space for them to tell us about themselves and share their thoughts, it has the same neurological effect as feeding them or giving them money. People-centered leaders understand that, and practice it. Here are three difficult conversations committed people-centered leaders work to master.
I just ended a vacation where our four children were around a lot. One of my goals was to listen, and I also found myself reading one book they all recommended (Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff) and starting a second book...
I shared in my last blog about Bob Goff's guarantee of answering his phone when called. I called and here is what it said "You have reached Bob Goff. I am sorry but I am in a place where I don't have cell service. Please email me at bob@bobgoff.com and I will get back...
In coaching leaders to become more people-centered, it quickly became evident that preparing their team for the career/development conversation was critical because too many people were not ready to share what they wanted. Here is my proven process for conversation and some perspective for leaders and/or individuals desiring to own their development.
Do you have a plan for your best people on where they will be in a year? Two years? What is keeping you from asking your people about the future? Here are the 3 reasons leaders don’t ask and 2.5 steps to start this conversation. Included are links to all the resources you need to equip your people to Own It! (including a free whitepaper and links to my 4 favorite posts on this topic).
Seth Godin says “it is your job to figure out the path” and while most people will say they want to learn and develop, it is important that people demonstrate that ownership as part of the process. Not everybody is ready for it, and as a leader you need to spend your time with people that are ready. Here are three tips for testing individual ownership for growth and development.
Are you developing your best people? Do each of them have a development plan? You cannot have the former without the latter, and here is how to get started.
Every time I share the JoHari Window with a group of leaders I am amazed at the impact it has on their view of the conversations they have with their team. The Johari Window is a simple and powerful tool for leaders to see the impact they can have on the everyday conversations with their people that are the foundation of strong and trusting relationships. Here are some tips for using this tool to become a more people-centered leader.
Too often we see performance gaps as things that are to be hidden or apologized for. Our narrative around these events contain adjectives like poor or disappointing, which only makes us want to escape them more. It does not take a Psychology major to spot someone who is not comfortable in their work – we just have to listen to the story they are telling. Then you find a person or place where gaps are accepted and more energy is put into talking about them . . .
Are you a micro-manager or micro-supporter? There is a difference, and the team you have around you will mirror your style. The good news is you can change and have a higher performing team. The other good news is that the outcome will be worth the work. Here is a tip to doing it.