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Discipline of Communication
Every leader spends a good part of the day in communication. A great many books are written on the techniques of communication, but the real problem is the spirit, not the techniques. Almost any two people who want to talk together can. Often people who are unable to talk together are hindered by their desire to impress, not express.
Motivation largely depends on communication and the difference between a good team and a great one is motivation. The difference between a poor one and a good one is generally selection and organization. Any organization with the ability to get to good can move to great with the proper motivation.
Most leaders are adequate talkers, but inadequate listeners. The ability to listen creatively and positively depends on the leader’s ability to listen on four levels: 1) the meaning of the words, 2) the choice of words, 3) the sounds of the words and 4) the sight of the words. Most people listen negatively which is simply keeping silent or reloading while the other is shooting. Positive listening guides the talker both in the giving of facts and a display of emotion which permits the listener to evaluate on more than a surface level.
Communication is mistakenly confused with agreement. I often hear people say that all problems would be solved if we really heard and understood each other. Not so, in fact if we really understood what the other truly was saying we might have increased disagreement. Hearing and understanding are critical to communication but not synonymous with agreement and concord.
During the next seven days focus on times when you talk to impress, not express. How can you discipline your listening to more successfully communicate at home and at work?
