Leverage the magic of your team

Leveraging the power of your team and patient listening are essential skills in leaders. It is of extreme importance that a condusive, psychological space is provided for all the contributors in professional communication regardless of personality type. Recently, I was invited to the podcast of Marc Haine -Success producer where we discussed the tips of how to ensure that everyone in the room is getting an opportunity to contribute to the business conversation and decision making.

Watch the podcast here:

Organisations are increasingly hiring employees from diverse skills and competencies. However, it is observed that leadership usually fails to utilize these human assets adequately. The probable reason behind this might be the self-centred vision and decision making capability of the leaders when they readily avoid discussing opposing opinions. Hence, reflecting unpreparedness to listen.

We have a varied variety of people; there is a higher chance of introverts being overshadowed by the noisiest people.

We have a varied variety of people: some are natural extroverts while others are introverts. There is a higher chance of later being shadowed by the noisiest people. Therefore, leaders are required to be aware of the talent pool they possess and must avoid unconscious biases. They intensely need to practice objective listening, regarding  “what is going on” and  “what is said”. Thereafter, giving importance to the human intricacies and milking everyone to contribute in communication. The consequences of not providing a safe space for all in the ongoing communication is that we are susceptible to missing an opportunity to hear diverse views and any decisions if made will be based on the narrow opinion and experiences curtaining some great ideas.

Until now the above discussions were majorly emphasising the responsibility of the leaders to assure the collective contribution of all the employees in any communication. However, there lies a second viewpoint, and that is the responsibility of the employee to be heard impactfully. If the employee at any time beholds the feeling that they are struggling to be heard and are low in confidence. They must reach out to the training development department to hone their skill in these specific areas. So, that they can be valued players and can have remarkable contributions to all communications and decision makings.

Getting feedback from leaders at the same level as you

Taking the discussion further, one of the intriguing questions is how do the leaders need to pull up their bootstraps and recognize their problem? The best solution for this is to get feedback perhaps from the senior managers or from leaders at the same level as you. Though this sounds a bit scary,  another pair of eyes is an essential tool in gauging our attributes. At last ending the discussion, one of the important components for the leaders to pay attention to is, women’s safety at the workplace and to facilitate them with some flexibility in handling their work. This has become quite important in the current pandemic situation when women are stretching a lot to balance home and work. Hence, the organisations should be more considerate with the female employees and must avoid this massive talent pool from draining out of the organisations due to unwanted stress.

Here are ways you could ensure you include everyone’s opinions in meetings and conversations.

1. Ensure you send out agendas before any meeting, so that those who need to prepare have that opportunity.
2. Understand the personalities in the meeting; are there people who process information differently? Are there those personalities who always dominate the conversation? Are there individuals who are always quiet?
3. Actively listen when individuals are speaking; avoid butting in or dismissing any opinion
4. Ensure the people who haven’t spoken have the space, time and opportunity to share their ideas and opinions
5. Be aware of any games or even players in the meeting; you might have individuals who are preventing others from contributing
6. Why not consider other ways for individuals to share their ideas? This could be sharing information on a project management board, or even something as simple as people writing ideas on post it notes.

Concluding, the leader needs to open his or her ears and eyes and must create a psychologically safe space without any fear. And to leverage the magic of their team. They need to work on the leadership components like openness, flexibility, sexism and must evolve depending upon dynamic cultural requirements.Hence, exploring collective brilliance of team with impact.

We offer a range of coaching and training for leadership communication. Including the Superstar Communicator Programme Please contact us to arrange a call or