Last week I shared four of the first eight ideas on this subject. Go to this link to read Part One of the blog [Click Here for Part One]. I received a question recently from a staff member about improving communication between fellow staff members within the organization. I shared some thoughts in a staff meeting and believe it might be helpful to you in your work… Here is the question and the other four suggestions I provided:
Question: How do I get someone to see my point of view without making an immediate judgment? How do I get others to “see what I see” so that better decisions can be made?
- Demonstrate the highest degree of loyalty possible. This is somewhat of a no-brainer. Why would someone listen to your ideas if they cannot count on your loyalty? Here are questions for you: Are your loyal? Do they know that? Can you keep confidentialities? Are you in the organization for the long-haul? Can they count on you to give them a “heads-up” when you have information that can blindside them? Be sure you are working on the demonstration of your loyalty with the caveat; “to the degree that you can.” Integrity must always trump loyalty. Never allow loyalty to hide immorality, unethical behavior, or harmful decision making. That why I say, “to the highest degree possible.”
- Study and understand the personality and learning styles of co-workers. The people around you receive information in different ways based on personality, learning styles, and to some degree their own culture. By culture, it can be the “work culture” that they have been engaged with over time. They may have learned or developed good habits or bad when it comes to their own listening skills. Be observant and study those around you. I once heard it said that you must first seek to understand and then to be understood.
- Follow the Matthew 18 principle. While the Christian community should understand this concept, the principle works well with this question in any circumstance. If you are not a believer, I would encourage you to read the eighteenth chapter of the gospel of Matthew and hear Jesus’ wisdom on this subject. In summary, if a person does not hear you the next step is to take someone with you. Ideally, it is someone they respect and trust and that will give your idea or suggestion added credibility. The text is richer than the sharing of an idea but the principle is sound in any situation.
- Pray for God to give them “ears to hear and eyes to see.” Since I lead in the Christian non-profit environment I am confident that God has a role to play in this process. I do believe in prayer and in God’s ability to change hearts and minds. Proverbs 21:1 says, “A king’s heart is like streams of water in the LORD’s hand:
He directs it wherever He chooses.” As a believer, I am not averse to praying for God to soften someone to hear and to make them receptive to me because I believe I have great ideas! You should feel the same way if you are a leader.
Make yourself a list and consider what you would add to it so that you can maximize your leadership!