Don’t Just do something, Stand there.
Leadership Tip of week #109
adapted from HBR
(famously attributed to Eisenhower and Reagan)
As a leader, you probably have to talk a lot.
You want people to have the guidance and direction they need, of course, and there are plenty of situations where you need to speak your mind.
But at some point, talking a lot can turn into over-communicating. You can end up dominating conversations, which means colleagues’ perspectives aren’t being heard.
To make sure you aren’t talking too much, listen as much as you speak. When someone raises a question in a meeting, invite others to weigh in before you. In fact, don’t contribute your thoughts until several other people have offered theirs. That way everyone is included and feels that their input is valued.
You can also schedule regular one-on-one sessions with your team members to encourage open communication. Ask employees about their wants, needs, and concerns — and then hush. You may be surprised how much you learn when you’re saying nothing.
This tip is adapted from “Don’t Be the Boss Who Talks Too Much,” by Hjalmar Gislason
Data Pulses storytelling 