Author: Rick
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ONE WORD
On a 1 – 10 scale with 10 be the highest, what score would you give yourself in terms of results on your goals so far this year? Are you on track with your goals? Have other things gotten in the way? Have you already abandoned your goals? If your score is less than 9,…
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FOLLOW UP AND GROW
Leaders who ask for input and then follow up to see if progress is being made are seen as people who care. Co-workers might well infer that leaders who don’t respond to feedback must not care very much. Historically, a great deal of leadership development has focused on the importance of an event. This event…
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WAITING IN LINE
When you listen you reach into dark corners and pull out your wonders. When you listen your ideas come in and out like they were waiting in line. Your ears don’t always listen, It can be your brain, your fingers, your toes. You can listen anywhere. Your mind might not want to go.…
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LESS IS MORE: GET TO THE POINT
I recently attended a meeting in which the purpose was for the senior leader to listen to ideas of others on his proposal. Unfortunately, one person dominated the time with an endless flow of personal opinion. Because of this long windedness, others were unable to give their input. As the talkative member continued, I…
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CLEARLY COMMUNICATE WITH LASER-SPEAK
When was the last time you facilitated a meeting and were not able to make progress because one or more participants dominated the conversation? Think about the lost time of meetings when the ‘motor mouth’ kicks in. There is a remedy…..LASER SPEAK. Laser speak is succinct, specific and efficient use of words that gets to…
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10 STEPS TO LISTEN WITH TOTAL FOCUS TO A SPEAKER
10 STEPS TO LISTEN WITH TOTAL FOCUS TO A SPEAKER 1. Pay total attention to the speaker even if you don’t agree with them or even like them. 2. When you are listening, keep your eyes on their eyes. Don’t look away unless there is a fire or you have a seriously personal emergency. 3.…
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THE TORTOISE ALWAYS WINS
Misty Haggard-Belford is a great example of a listening leader who although inundated daily with multiple messages, thoughtfully takes advantage of her thought-speed advantage while listening. Misty is a business owner and adjunct college professor and has recently been elected to the Brevard County (FL) School Board. Misty is focused, works hard, and prides…
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BETTER LISTENING = BETTER LEADING
Frances Hesselbein is one of the most highly respected experts in the field of contemporary leadership development. The former President of the Girl Scouts of America and current CEO of the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute knows how critical listening is to leadership success. In an interview with her, she told me, “I believe it is…
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LEADERSHIP IS ‘WRITING ON A BLANK SHEET OF PAPER’
Several years ago, I had the honor of interviewing Millard Fuller on the topic of leadership and listening. Millard founded Habitat for Humanity International in 1976 and served in executive roles until 2005. Through his stellar leadership, Habitat grew into a worldwide Christian housing ministry and in 1996, former U.S. President Bill Clinton awarded Fuller…
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LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES
A little girl who came home from school excited about the drawing she had created in art class. She skipped into the kitchen, practically bursting at the seams with excitement. “Mommy, Mommy, guess what?” she exclaimed. Her mother, who was preparing supper, said “What’s all the excitement about, honey?” “Guess what?” the little girl squealed. …