Leadership

On Leadership It is imperative that you learn to listen before you speak . Understand what the other person is trying to say . At times and for whatever reason, they may not be exactly explicit . Learn to probe gently, without sounding inquisitive or threatening . It’s all about the tone and the body language being used by the parties involved . Learn to diagnose by listening with your ears- and eyes and heart . it’s surprising what you gather when you use all three. Find out what the most important behaviors are to the people you work with . Never assume that you know the person better than you actually do . Don’t assume that you have the answers or solutions to all the questions or problems . In no way do you lower your stature by saying – I don’t know ! It’s good at times to sit back and ponder over your interactions with your colleagues during the past week . Think of a time when you either, didn’t listen at all or didn’t listen well enough . What were the results ? What could you have done differently in terms of your reply or your behavior? This should help you the next time you are in a conversation . Stop and ask yourself – Have I really listened to this other person ? Do I really understand and appreciate how he or she feels right now ? Wise to set your own agenda aside and really focus on understanding the other person’s point of view before you share your own . Being reactive is often the cause of all misunderstandings and arguments . Understanding your superiors, peers and subordinates and really knowing what makes them tick is an integral part of the journey . Getting caught up in the illusion that you are the leader who knows it all and can fix it all is a fallacy.