Communicating with Excellence
Posted 21st October 2008 at 11:49 by EmWortt
As the boss concentrating on reaching your department’s goals it can be easy to fall into the trap of focusing on how other people need to change in order to reach those goals.
Is there someone with whom you need to communicate regularly but who always leaves you thinking you just haven’t got through or made a difference? They just don't seem to understand; their body language and attitude are all wrong; they try to appease you by saying yes and no in the right places but then fail to take action or change the situation. Or perhaps they argue with you; or back off and go quiet; or blame someone else. And the same thing happens every time. It’s a pattern.
Throughout these exchanges you’re thinking:
- He’s got to change;
- Why isn’t she listening to me?
- Why doesn't he ever seem to understand?
- Her attitude is really getting through to me;
- Why can’t he see the big picture I’m describing?
- Why doesn’t she take action about this situation?
What I’m actually going to do is get you to look at your own contribution to this pattern.
Ask yourself:
- In what ways do I react every time with this person?
- How does the interaction start?
- Then what happens?
- Then what happens?
Work out and recognise the parts you are playing which contribute towards and maintain the pattern.
Then ask yourself:
- How could I break this pattern?
- What could I do differently?
- If I put myself in their position for a moment, what is causing their reaction?
- What is the best way to approach this person to change the reaction I normally get from them?
- How does this person need me to react in order for them to behave differently?
‘The person with the most flexibility in thinking and behaviour has the most influence on any interaction.’
© Emma Wortt of Em-powering Executives 2008. If you have enjoyed this article and would like to receive concise helpful articles for executives direct to your inbox, you can subscribe to the Em-powering Executives FREE monthly newsletter at www.em-poweringexecutives.co.uk
Total Comments 0
Comments
Post a Comment
|
Total Trackbacks 0
