After more than four decades of involvement in nearly every area related to leadership, from identifying and qualifying, to training, developing, and mentoring thousands of actual and/or potential leaders, to serving as a leader. I have, on several occasions, observed that too many of these individuals tend to talk to others, rather than to themselves. Instead of addressing the needs, priorities, concerns and/or perceptions of stakeholders, many simply talk about whatever is on their minds! How can anyone expect, motivate and inspire others to action and more participation, unless they obviously prioritize, in an empathetic way, what they want and need to hear? Me registered trademark – slogans, I’ll tell you what you need to know, not just what you want to hear (TM), because I firmly believe that it behooves every true leader to act with absolute integrity and responsibility. Therefore, there is a need to proceed, with genuine empathy, while also telling the truth! With that in mind, this article will briefly attempt to consider, examine, revise, and discuss 4 key reasons why leaders should speak to others, rather than at themselves.
1. Meeting of minds, for a greater good: A true leader must put their own personal/political agenda and/or self-interest behind the needs, goals and best interests of the group they serve and represent! Only when one speaks less and listens more (and more effectively), will he truly understand and appreciate the needs, goals, perceptions, and concerns of those he serves and represents, and be able to do so adequately. placement, its emphasis, etc! To achieve this requires proceeding with an open mind, rather than a My way or the highway, mindset! The greatest good must be the most desirable and sought after result!
two. Find common ground: The reality is that the constituents and stakeholders of almost every organization have some degree of differences and therefore it behooves every quality leader to seek common ground, thus unity/unification becomes more important than polarization and division!
3. Uniting, instead of polarizing: Only when someone proceeds, with greater empathy, and talks less, who listens, and prioritizes, attending to the concerns, etc., of their stakeholders, will they be able to unify, for the greater good! Partisan and polarizing rhetoric has no place in meaningful leadership! Only when someone is committed to trying to unify, speaking to others, instead of them, will he be a true leader!
Four. Agree, disagree, when possible: People can disagree, without being unpleasant! A leader’s tone should emphasize, respecting everyone’s opinion, even when there is disagreement and especially on non-crucial issues, that people know, it’s okay to agree, disagree!
How a leader communicates often dictates his potential impact, to the best of any group! Are you the right person for this position?
