Premature Articulation

Ask anyone about what makes a good leader and they are sure to put the ability to communicate high on the list of necessary skills. Yet all to often communication is simply seen as the ability to speak.

Listening ? actively is an incredibly powerful tool at times rather neglected.

I stated working with ***** who said, "I feel really frustrated. I often suggest ideas at meetings but others get the credit! I am really keen to get promotion and want to impress"

***** was keen to do well. He wanted his superiors to recognise his potential and felt it was important to come up with the goods. At meetings ***** always tried to get in first. He was quick to speak, often cutting across others and interrupting.

By doing so there were a number of consequences quite different to his original intention:

Bosses lost their train of thought; they found the interruptions irritating.

***** concentrated far more on what he was going to say rather than internalising what was being said by others. His contributions were not focused on the matter at hand, or were shallow because he had not taken the time to analyse what had been said

Thoughts were articulated before they were completely formulated. Others picked up on the idea, thought them through logically and re-articulated them as their own, gaining lots of brownie points with the bosses

The problem was premature articulation, a very common problem. The solution is easy to identify but requires practice on a regular basis if the new behaviour is to become second nature.

Together we considered how to manage the problem. I asked ****** to make a conscious decision to act differently at the next meeting.

To remain quiet, listening carefully and to contribute only when their opinion was asked for. Planned strategies for listening, ordering thoughts and recording ideas were put in place. It was agreed that ideas were to be offered after enough thought had taken place to ensure they were logical ordered and listened to.

The result was amazing. ****** felt more in control and was ready with positive, well thought out contributions which were accredited to him.

***** found the situation in meetings was less stressful and frantic as the pressure to perform was lessened. Listening attentively, taking time to get his thoughts together before offering a contribution has taken a bit of effort but well worth while.

Feedback from *****'s boss has been extremely positive.

Independent Consultant, writer and life-coach Gina Gardiner loves working with others supporting them to make the best of their potential.

Described by Ofsted as an "inspirational leader" and by Investors in People as an "impressive coach and exceptional mentor. who has developed an innovative and exemplary training scheme" for the development of emergent, middle and senior managers.

Gina has a huge interest in leadership, she has led a wide range of training and facilitation activities with individuals, schools and other organisations, In her work as coach/mentor she supports people at individual or organisational level to develop confidence, leadership and people skills and effective delegation; empowering them to see themselves as part of the solution. If you would like to know more email: gina.gardiner@ntlworld.com

Gina Gardiner is also the author of "Live Well Eat Well With Celiac Disease" in this book she writes from first hand experience of being a celiac. For more information or to sign up to our free monthly ezine go to http://www.celiacliving.com

---

The Challenge to Lead

The topic of leadership has been and continues to be... Read More

10 Attributes of Effective Strategic Leaders!

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

Character -- Why It Matters In Leaders

"Character is much easier kept than recovered." -Thomas Paine"The best... Read More

Top Skills Of Extraordinary Leaders

1. Good Communicator. Extraordinary Leaders are those who can take... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 4, Quiet Participants

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

Stepping Into Leadership and Being The Source Of Your Success

Why is it that we often wait until we have... Read More

Be the Samurai Sword

Relationships are constantly facing crisis. Everywhere we look people are... Read More

Ten Steps To Effective Leadership

Many people end up in a supervisory position or SOHO... Read More

All You Really Want Is Feeling Good

If I asked you what your goal in life is,... Read More

The Compassion Paradox

Effective leaders are comfortable with paradox. They can call on... Read More

What Every Manager Should Know About How to See the Talents of Effective Leaders

An organization of any size, from the family to the... Read More

Lead People...Manage Things

Master The Five Key Facets of High Performance LeadershipMany people... Read More

A Leader?s Ultimate Goal ? Connect to Engage!

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

Five Things Smart Leaders Do to Lower The Barriers To Change

Smart leaders understand that they don't "make" a change happen.... Read More

Value Driver Leadership

CHAPTER 1 ************ VALUEThose qualities regarded by a person or... Read More

The SAMMER Test: Leading People To Get The Right Results At the Right Time In The Right Way

As a leader, you do nothing more important than get... Read More

A Winning Choice for Leadership!

"The only way to enjoy anything in this life, is... Read More

The Three Essential Attributes of a Leader: (Part 2) Bringing Others to the Vision

We need to engage our listeners and transform them into... Read More

Father Knows Best

A good strong example of a family leader would be... Read More

The Death of Potential

... Read More

Celebrating Successes: The Power Of Compliments

Years ago, when I was new in management circles, a... Read More

Effective Leaders are (#3) Communicative

LISTEN, WRITE, AND ARTICULATE EFFECTIVELY: Leadership positions require effective communication... Read More

Rationalize Success Away

I was invited to do a Leadership workshop at a... Read More

The Three Factors of Leadership Motivation

Leaders do nothing more important than get results. But you... Read More

Quality Leadership

The Lakota tribe of Native Americans has no word in... Read More

3 Es For Leaders - Engage, Empower, Encourage!

"Enflamed with the study of learning and the admiration of... Read More

Act on Some of the Facts

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

Heres The REAL Reason Bush Won: The Dark Night Of The Leadership Soul

George Bush won the election because he was finally able... Read More

Evil, Hostile Grumpy Listeners? Think Again

I hated Kyle Sisk*. A notorious bully, Kyle punctuated my... Read More

Miraculous Leadership

It was a time of turmoil. In November 1979, supporters... Read More

Leading In The Face Of Disaster

The date was Saturday, April 11, 1970, the time 13:13... Read More

To Be An Effective Leader, Do A Check-up From The Neck Up

Before we can effectively lead anyone, we must take an... Read More

The Leadership Talk As A Living Hologram

The hologram is a three-dimensional photograph made on a flat... Read More