Last week we focused on three reasons why it is important to ask the right questions. While it is critical to understand why we would want to ask questions of our partners and colleagues, in order to benefit the most from the questions, we need to ask the right questions. While the “right” questions can definitely be different depending […]
Ask the right questions: What? – Part 1 Read More »
Last week, we began our conversation on listening with Dr. Larry Prybil’s powerful story on how he learned how to become a good listener as well as the first two key characteristics – Focus and Interaction. This week, we are continuing the conversation with two more key characteristics and a call to action! Over the years, in teaching graduate students
Studies in many sectors over the years suggest that many, perhaps most, people believe their listening skills are “above average.” However, their family members as well as co-workers and subordinates in the work environment often have a different view. Research suggests that most people forget about half of what other persons have said right after their conversation
Last week, we began our discussion about “Does it need to be me?” and focused on the reasons we may be quick to say “yes” and take on more than we can handle. While it is important to understand the why, it can be very discouraging if we don’t have some ways we can take
Does it need to be me? Part 2 Read More »
Last week, we talked about thinking carefully before answering the question “Are you available?” As a follow-up to that conversation, another really important question to ask is “Does it need to be me?” Whether you are in a meeting and someone asks who would be able to provide follow-up on an action item OR if
Does it need to be me? Part 1 Read More »
This question seems so easy. We look at our calendar, and if there is nothing listed on the calendar, then we say yes. Right? Or perhaps we have something scheduled on our calendar but it’s time to write or work on a project so it can be moved. It’s not like we have a meeting
Are you available? Read More »
In last week’s post, we discussed some practical things you can do to move toward making a decision when there are many different options. Once you have really assessed resources, developed criteria and discussed the possibilities, then it’s time to really move toward a decision. Depending on your team or coalition, there are some things
How do we decide when there are so many options? Part 2 Read More »
Last week’s post focused on the reasons why you don’t need to all agree on what you want to do to move forward, particularly if that involves saying “yes” to every potential priority. Many of you may be thinking, yeah that is a great idea and I agree with your concept, but how in the
How do we decide when there are so many options? Part 1 Read More »
Working in coalitions can be both rewarding and exhausting, especially when it comes to deciding how we move forward together. Since we are focused on helping people work better together, it is easy to think that we need everyone to agree on everything in order to move forward. However, this can be particularly challenging and
Do we all need to agree? Read More »
You may be thinking this is a terrible way to start a blog post about how we can work better together; however, unfortunately, sometimes in the process of working with others we face opposition and struggle. We may have taken action – or in action (see last week’s post) in order to help our team
No good deed goes unpunished Read More »