You Make The Difference

What do you think makes your company successful? Your newest hardware or software? The newest system you've put into place? The best location in town? Although these are important, they are not the key to success.

Today it's not enough to produce a product and get the work done. There are big challenges in running a business. Competition isn't just local ? it's coming from all over the world; there's always some new piece of equipment to buy; your customers have critical needs; systems can always be improved; employees have challenges you need to respond to and there are constant changes in technology.

All of this means that being a good leader, manager or employee is a tall order. Being an effective communicator is just one way you can make a difference.

Communication affects every part of our lives. Whether it's at work or in your family you are constantly interacting with others. Both areas involve the need for cooperation. Discussing ideas, solving problems, making plans for the future all require good interaction skills.

For your interactions to be effective, you need to understand some basic needs and bring that understanding into your interactions.

? We all need to feel valued, respected, trusted and appreciated.

? We need to be listened to and have our thoughts and ideas heard.

? We like to collaborate on solving problems and get ideas and information before making decisions.

Here are three suggestions on how you can make a difference.

1) How would you act differently if you really believed that all of your co-workers wanted to and were capable of being successful? Would it be possible to trust their intentions even though your styles or methods of accomplishing a task may be different? This attitude of positive regard for others increases their self esteem and is essential to good work relationships.

Examples:

"I'm really impressed Judy. This new system you came up with has all the information right where we need it. It's going to save the whole team a lot of time."

"That's a great idea. I can see how that could reduce our costs and make a difference in our budget this next year."

"Thanks for taking the time?."

2) Listening and responding with understanding is at the very core of open communication. This is very important when someone is expressing feelings, either positive or negative. Responding with understanding shows that you understand what someone is feeling and why.

Reflecting negative feelings helps defuse those feelings before they cause problems that might otherwise have been avoided. Ignoring them, hoping they will go away or trying to argue them away usually makes the person more emotional. When we are not being heard, we will often "turn up the volume" in order to be heard.

It's equally important to reflect positive feelings. It's a great way to acknowledge another for how they feel about getting a difficult job done. This reinforces their good work and helps the other person feel even more successful.

Examples:

"It's frustrating trying to please people who change their minds and you're getting mixed messages."

"Being acknowledged like that at the meeting has to make you feel really good".

"I understand how disappointing it can be to ??"

3) When you value someone's opinions and want their help in solving a problem, they are almost always willing to help. Two minds are usually more creative and lead to better solutions and decisions than if you try to do it alone. That might mean asking someone to get involved and work with you or it might mean asking someone to take responsibility for the task and take it through to completion. Involving others in developing ideas and carrying out the tasks builds their commitment to what you're trying to accomplish.

Example:

"You work with these forms a lot, Susan. What ideas do you have for how they could be redesigned to work better for us?"

"In the meeting the other day you came up with some good ideas. Would you be willing to work with me on getting some of them implemented?"

"How do you think we could handle that?"

Opportunities to practice these skills happen frequently and sometimes unexpectedly. Even though the business challenges may not have changed you may be having a little more fun! At the end of the day, stop and think about how you might have made the difference.

© 2004 Julane Borth

Julane Borth is co-founder of EWF International®, an Oklahoma based firm providing personal advisory boards for women business owners and executives. EWF International also offers leadership training for women. EWF International franchises are available throughout Texas.

http://www.ewfinternational.com

---

Leadership

Webster's defines leadership as : "1. the office of position... Read More

What is Leadership?

Leadership is what every organization needs and so few have... Read More

10 Attributes of Effective Strategic Leaders!

Did you know that people who lead strategically resemble fine-tuned... Read More

8 Questions to Ask if You Want to be a Better Leader

Those that have successfully made the transition from manager to... Read More

A Leader?s Ultimate Goal ? Connect to Engage!

Connect and Engage! Your People Are Your Power.It's been said... Read More

Act on Some of the Facts

Making any decision without having all of the information and... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 4, Quiet Participants

There are many reasons why someone would decline to participate... Read More

Characteristics of a Good Leader

It's interesting to hear the responses from executives when I... Read More

Leadership Development for Success

In today's highly competitive world, there is a lot of... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 6, Deadlocked Discussions

Although a meeting is a vehicle for resolving differences, it... Read More

Women in Leadership - How to Get Promoted

It is often much harder for women to get promoted... Read More

Steps to Becoming a Good Leader

STEPS TO BECOMING A GOOD LEADER: 1. Develop a master... Read More

What We Can Learn From J. Paul Getty

J. Paul Getty planned to enter the U.S. Diplomatic Service,... Read More

Dissolving Conflict Through Reframing

Reframing is looking at the situation with a new set... Read More

Two Leadership Traps: How To Get Out Of Them and How To Avoid Them (Part 1)

You've heard of the Peter Principle: "People are promoted to... Read More

Leadership Lessons from Pope John Paul II

"Heroes are rebels with a cause. Rebels because they challenge... Read More

Leadership Skills Training Empowers Problem-solving and Visioning

Leadership skills training programs empower you to influence, persuade or... Read More

Abraham Lincoln Is Still Alive

Abraham Lincoln Is Still Alive President Jimmy Carter tells in... Read More

People Problems -- Understanding the Dueling Paradigms

You've spent the last 12 years riding your technical skills... Read More

Communication Skills & Leadership - Organizational Communications Processes in Leadership Activity

"Sooth 't were a pleasant life to lead, With nothing... Read More

Would Socrates Be A Celebrity Today?

Last week, as I was standing in the checkout line... Read More

Visions of Leadership

Right about now, you've made the discovery that... Read More

10 Smart Ways Leaders Can Bring Out the Best in Others

You are a leader. Everyone is a leader. It doesn't... Read More

Partnership: Choose It or Lose It

Charlotte decides to do good. Charlotte is a highly motivated... Read More

Leadership: 9 Universal Laws

1. The Law of Authoritarian StyleAuthoritarian leaders lead by control... Read More

Leadership - L.P.B It!

"Dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused by the absence of... Read More

On Being A Born Leader

"Leaders are born, not made." Right? Let me ask you... Read More

Building Self Confidence

As a hypnotherapist I specialise in helping people to develop... Read More

Leadership Is Action?Not Position!

People respond to good leadership! Period! It is in all... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 7, Personal Attacks

Personal attacks hurt people, mar communication, and end creativity. If... Read More

Pay No Attention To The Man Behind The Curtain!

As the 'Great And Powerful Oz' once said to Dorothy,... Read More

Follow My Leader - To Effect Change, Leaders Must Walk the Talk!

A leader's roleIn any change project, a leader must wear... Read More

Helping Others Develop Their Potential

Most of us find ourselves in a position to help... Read More