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Make Listening a Key Component of Your Leadership Strategy

Successful leaders don't talk all the time; they pay close and constant attention to the people they want to influence. If you want to do a better job of leading people, start by becoming the kind of leader your staff feel comfortable talking to. Here are some guidelines:

· Ask good questions. The best questions generate detailed answers and thorough discussions. Instead of telling people what you want them to do, ask them what they think they should do and why. Listen before you speak, and then ask more questions that explore their thinking.

· Don't solve problems for people. Your staff will bring you problems and ask you what to do. Resist the impulse to tell them, or to handle the problem yourself. Instead talk about what caused the problem, explore options, and-again-listen to ideas. Even if the solution ultimately comes from your head, people will feel better about putting it to work knowing they had a fair chance to share their opinions.

· Pay attention to feelings. You don't have to be a psychologist to understand and take into account the emotions of your employees. Let people vent when they're upset. Acknowledge their anger when they feel they've been treated unfairly. Smile when they make a joke. You may not agree with their feelings, but you do need to validate them.

· Look forward, not back. Always steer your discussions toward the future. Avoid dwelling on past mistakes or last year's triumphs. Don't ignore the lessons of experience; instead, take a long-term perspective that motivates people to move forward.

Adapted from Communication Solutions, July 2009, (800) 878-5331.

Sharing Information Key to Your Company's Health

Communication is the lifeblood that keeps organizations healthy. To maximize its flow, put these practices in effect:

• Respect. Don't "protect" your staff from bad news, dismiss their concerns or talk down to them. Take the time to listen to them and answer their questions; it shows you value their input.
• Honesty. Your staff deserve the truth. That doesn't mean spilling trade secrets or being rude. It does mean trusting them with the facts, or at least explaining why you don't have the answer to a question.
• Openness. Don't hoard information nor give the impression that your organization is keeping secrets. Unless the information can be used to damage your organization or hurt someone, share it so people know you trust their judgment.
• Timeliness. Staff should always hear your organization's news from you before anyone else. Tell your people what you know as soon as you know it. If you don't have the whole story, let them know. Then update them as soon as you're able.
• Attention. Communication should travel in both directions. Listen to your staff. Remove distractions and refuse interruptions when they have something important to say. Respond to their e-mails. The better you are at accepting their ideas and opinions, the more they will respect yours.

Adapted from Communication Solutions, June 2009, (800) 878-5331.