ask me no questions

When we think about communications we often think about what we are saying and sending out – and when we are really focused we even think about listening. I want to share with a communication rule (or trick) – that is very impactful and I always wish I used it more:

9 time out of 10 you will be more impactful with a question than an answer.

When you are talking with anyone we often look to add instead of ask. Questions lead us to solutions – and let us engage others in the discussion.

The next conversation ask before time it is your turn “Can I address this issue with a question rather than a statement?”

We naturally want to add our own two cents – so do not worry about that – the point here is to put the focus on the person you are talking to?

Think of it this way (this is an adaptation of a clichéd story): do you think it is more effective to have them feel like you are the smartest person in the room or have them feel like you think they are the smartest person in the room?

That is a question we all know the answer to.

+1

Just a simple improvement reminder that I wanted to share with everyone.

And yes…it is “+1”. This means always take that one extra step.

Take 30 minutes over the next week and concentrate on adding one to everything you do. Ask one more question from a customer or someone on your team, try to plan just 1% better, do one more bit of follow up, praise one more action or drive to ask what is the one more thing I can do right now to most impact us having a better day.

See what just a small amount of this focus can do to improve your communication, your results and your morale. Imagine if you could do this every day for a week? A month? A year? As you can see “+1” is powerful.

We so often think of the large goals we are aiming for – and that is important. “+1” gives us a way to think about moving things forward and a realistic pace – sometimes in a way that even seems easy! (imagine that)

Take the time, think about “+1” and how it could impact you and your team.

The math and impact is compelling, the concept is simple to execute and share and the results will be amazing.

Five by five

Five by five is an expression that means your signal (radio etc..) is coming in perfectly strong and clear. It is also referred to as “loud and clear”.

We often forget when communicating to check what message has been received and how clearly. We do not always check that we are “five by five”

In the past I have spoken about asking someone to repeat back their understanding of what we said. Take a moment over the next few days and think about an expectation we have set. Go up to someone on your team and ask them to tell you what that expectation is. If they have – you have communicated. If not, well now we can have a great conversation. Periodically check how your communication is being received by your team. Is it strong and clear enough to stay with them when you check in later? The formula is very simple in this regard – if they know what you intended to send you have communicated that part of it well.

So take some time over the next few days and do a “communication check in” with your people. If you make this a habit the response will soon always be: “five by five”

The best in the room

I was at a meeting this week – and a person made a comment that I thought was a wonderful communications and leadership lesson. He said “I know I will not be the smartest person in the room, so my goal is to be the best listener in the room”.

The idea of “the best listener in the room” is a great leadership message and powerful communication tool. No one has ever griped “that guy listen too much!”

Whether we are talking with our people and customers – let’s remember that when it comes to making people feel important, connecting with them and finding out what we can do to improve the situation – listening is the best tool we have. If we were talking with someone do we want them to show us how important they are or would we rather they made us feel important? That is the power of being the “best listener in the room”.

A great, powerful, simple communication and leadership tool we can all start doing immediately.

What next step... the sequel

Last year I spoke about a powerful question. I wanted to bring it up again this year. The question was:

“What next step should I be taking to make my goals happen?”

This little question is so powerful that I wanted to bring it up again. Take a half over the next week and focus on simply asking yourself this question and then doing the answer. This continual focus on this question allows for several things:

- It keeps you focus on the longer term goals, not just the fires

- It is an action oriented mindset

- It naturally breaks down larger goals into smaller achievable tasks – this is key to success for any long term goal

By simply focusing on this questions and the answers to this question you will be unleashing the powerful weapons of strategy, focus and execution with a simple exercise. Now imagine if you can get your people to ask the same question and respond to their answer. Take some time this week to make sure you have communicated this powerful little thought to your team and see what they can do as well.

“What next step….?” is a key to unlocking a great day, one where you can look back and be proud of what you got done. “What next step …?” is the key to giving you the excitement of a new day with even more you will get done.

Ask the question, complete the answer and then commit to asking it again and again. Each little step will push towards a completed goal.

With this powerful question in your hands you can be like a river that shapes the landscape and cuts through mountains – you can be a force of nature. I think this question and attitude is that powerful and important.

“What next step should I be taking to make my goals happen?”

Ask it. Answer it. Do it again and again. Step by step, you will be amazed and amazing.

It’s time for action.

while you're busy making other plans

“Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans”

This John Lennon quote reveals a powerful idea on management and getting things done that we have touched on before. We often bemoan plans because things never turn out how we, well, planned.

So the obvious next question is why spend so much time planning?

Because plans may be relatively useless … but planning is invaluable. Planning is what gives our action legs. When we have planned something out there is a powerful change.

We go from doing… to doing something. The intent and direction that come from planning is impactful and vital. And most important of all – it prepares us to react and move when (inevitably) things do not go exactly accordingly to plan. Planning allows us to respond – because we are moving with intent.

So when you are thinking through goals, and how you get there, and your days and weeks and what you will do. Take a moment and realize that the act of planning it out is as important and meaningful as the plans themselves. Do not fall to the temptation to short circuit this aspect. Plans change, planning allow us to succeed.

We talk about several concepts that at a surface may seems to be at conflict

• The basis of good morale, is good discipline
• The key to dynamic changes and improvement is standards for operating
• The requirement of flexibility is a solid structure

And I wanted to add a fourth concept: Things never go as we plan…so planning is invaluable. It allows us to think through, be ready and to act with direction and purpose.

So recognize the power of goals – both because they allow us to focus and force us into the powerful act of planning.

And to end with two quotes

“Those who plan do better than those who do not plan even though they rarely stick to their plan” - Winston Churchill (British Prime Minister)

“Plans are worthless. Planning is essential.” - Dwight D. Eisenhower, general and president (1890-1961)

Is it on their radar?

Think about a radar…

There is an object that is “out there” – as you move toward it you send out waves and how they bounce back tells you what is out in front of you and around you. Any slight changes in that object get noticed and impact what is bouncing back to the radar. People change their course and actions towards their destination based on these signals that come back.

When it comes to leading this provides a useful thinking tool.

We as a team are heading in a direction. Us, as the leaders are moving towards our goals. Our people look to us and watch everything that we do – we are the object that is :out there” and our people watching us are the are the “waves”. We all think about the big things we want to model – but the radar comparison also reminds us that little things send out changes to what people see as well. Now stop and think for one second – do you spend more time sending out big messages or little messages?

Exactly – our whole day is little messages. So much so that if we take care of the little things, the big things don’t catch us; and if we ignore the little things, the big things come crashing down all over us. This is especially true with the messages we send out with our small words and deeds.

Take 20 minutes over the next few days and think about yourself as the center of your team’s radar. What are they seeing? More importantly, what are the small signals you are sending out? Do any of these signals change their picture enough to make our people change course that moves them away from our goals? Pay attention to these little things – they are the ones that prevent goals from being achieved. The little things and signals are powerful things, both to the positive and negative. Take a few moments from time to time to really zone in on what little signals are being relayed.

Are the small signals we send on our people’s radar?

We better believe it – and we better act like it.