One of the best bits of business and leadership advice I’ve ever heard…and have successfully used so often in spite of myself is: “Keep it simple, sweetheart!” It’s easy to remember because of the acronym KISS. But I’d like to ask you to KISS and TELL: (T)alk, E(mpathize), L(isten), L(earn). In short, do YOU have the nerve and guts to ask for positive and negative feedback at work AND hear the truth?
GOT QUESTIONS…GET FEEDBACK?
Do you care enough to get involved with your team to ask three KISS questions? Of course you want honest feedback and to hear the truth, because accurate information solves problems. So ask three team members today:
1. “HEY, HOW’S IT GOIN’?” (Then listen to the under-500 word answer.)
2. “SO, WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY GO BETTER?” (And try to do one of the suggestions in a little way.)
3. “HOW CAN I MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER TODAY?” (And then nod affirmatively as you listen.)
ARE YOUR PEOPLE TOO INTIMIDATED TO TALK OPENLY TO YOU?
Hey, so how’s it been goin’, dear leader? SO…what can I do to make your day go better? How can I make your day easier NOW? Would you be surprised if I surveyed members of YOUR team and found out that they felt too intimidated to talk openly to you? Half of the time that’s exactly what I find out when providing group dynamics feedback during professional leadership and team building consultations. If you ask for honest and blunt feedback on a regular basis, and reward it, THEN the trust factor among team members is bound to be strong instead of splintered.
NERVOUS ABOUT NEGATIVITY: TALK, EMPATHIZE, LISTEN, LEARN
Are you a negative communicator or are you a positive communicator? Keep it simple, sweetie (KISS) and do TELL…(T)alk, (E)mpathize, (L)isten, and (L)earn. Don’t permit your people to feel too intimidated to talk openly and honestly with you. Nervous about negativity? Just remind yourself that asking for negative and positive feedback improves your team’s performance significantly!
ABOUT DR. DENNIS O’GRADY
Dr. Dennis O’Grady provides executive coaching and professional training in Dayton, Ohio, and surrounding areas. Dennis is the author of “Talk to Me: Communication Moves to Get Along with Anyone.” In this inspiring new executive coaching and leadership training program, you will learn the crucial differences between Empathizer-type communicators and Instigator-type communicators. Empathizers “freeze up” and are reluctant to give helpful negative feedback while Instigators feel free to “let it rip” and speak their minds. Likewise, an E-type weakness is to put a relationship before the self while an I-type weakness is to put the self before a relationship. Like to find out “What’s Your Communicator Type?” If you believe you are the leader of your own life, one who is a continuously improving “great communicator”…then ask the three questions above to a “quiet but attentive” co-worker or team member today…and listen open-mindedly to the answers.