Thought Leadership’s Post

Asking the right questions is a skill - and within an organization, this aspect of your communication toolkit can impact culture, inclusion, and more. The right kind of questioning empowers. It creates learning opportunities. Most importantly, it builds trust between you and your team. #leadership #communication #questions

Projects may not work or worked but struggling. When we open a respectful and empathetic conversation so everyone can express their side of the story, we can leverage all the lessons learned and now we know better. Even if it’s a smaller milestone, it’s key that everyone understands what could have gone better or what side we overlooked at the time. To foster a space where all ideas can easily be shared can be tricky. Many people do not share great ideas out of fear of retaliation, judgment or others and that just means that we are missing out on so much magic that is out there. As a leader, practice active listening and teach it to your team, embrace respectful and open environment for the struggles to be expressed and solutions to flow in. I’m sure you’ll come back stronger and with blind spots covered for next time.

I completely agree that the way we ask questions can truly impact the dynamics of a conversation. It's so important to ask questions that promote understanding and thoughtful reflection, rather than ones that provoke defensiveness or imply judgment. Thanks for sharing these valuable insights!

Reading the content in this picture from Alvin Foo has resonated with me deeply. As I ponder over its message, several lessons have come to mind that I want to share. In a world where material possessions often dominate our aspirations, Bruce Lee's profound words serve as a powerful reminder of what truly matters: "Instead of buying your children all the things you never had, you should teach them all the things you were never taught. Material wears out but knowledge stays." As professionals and leaders, it's crucial to reflect on this wisdom and apply it not only in our personal lives but also in our careers. Here are a few ways to incorporate this principle: 1. Invest in Learning and Development: Prioritize knowledge and skill acquisition for yourself and your team. Encourage continuous learning through training programs, workshops, and mentorship. The knowledge gained will not only enhance individual capabilities but also contribute to the collective success of your organization. 2. Foster a Culture of Knowledge Sharing: Create an environment where sharing knowledge is valued and promoted. Regularly organize knowledge-sharing sessions, team discussions, and collaborative projects. This culture will ensure that valuable insights and experiences are passed on, enriching everyone involved. 3. Mentorship and Coaching: Take on the role of a mentor or coach. Share your experiences, lessons learned, and the wisdom you have acquired over the years. Guiding others helps them navigate challenges more effectively and accelerates their growth. 4. Focus on Long-Term Impact: While material rewards can provide short-term satisfaction, the impact of knowledge and wisdom is enduring. Equip your team with the tools and insights they need to succeed in the long run. This approach not only benefits individuals but also strengthens the foundation of your organization. 5. Lead by Example: Demonstrate the value of lifelong learning and personal development through your actions. Show your commitment to growth by continually seeking new knowledge and adapting to changes. Your dedication will inspire others to follow suit. By prioritizing the imparting of knowledge and wisdom, we can create a lasting legacy that goes beyond material wealth. Let's strive to build a future where the true wealth of knowledge is cherished and shared, shaping better leaders, professionals, and communities. Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences on this topic. How do you prioritize knowledge sharing in your professional journey? Thank you, Alvin Foo, for sharing this image. #Leadership #ContinuousLearning #KnowledgeSharing #BruceLeeWisdom #ProfessionalDevelopment

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜𝘀 𝗔 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗔 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻? - Quality questions promote a safe space for thoughtful reflection and dialogue about the issue at hand. The ability to ask these types of questions and truly listen is the foundation for building strong relationships and making better decisions. Unfortunately, we often ask questions that are not intended to increase our understanding but are really intended to advance our positions or share our judgments. 𝙒𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨? 𝙊𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙧 𝙟𝙪𝙙𝙜𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣? 𝟭) 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗝𝗨𝗗𝗚𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠 𝗢𝗙 𝗔 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 This type of question is damaging because it makes a judgment statement about the person or situation, in the guise of a question. These types of questions can provoke defensiveness in others. Below are examples. • Why do you always (or never)..? • Why are you not succeeding at ..? • How are you going to fix this mess? • Don’t you know better than..? • Why do they constantly fail at..? 𝟮) 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 This type of question is dressed up like a question, but it is actually a statement about what you feel the person “should have done” in the past or “should do” in the future. It is important to understand the difference between when we are asking questions to increase understanding and when we are telling others what we think they should be doing. Below are examples. • Don’t you agree that . .? • Have you considered..? • Why don’t you..? • Isn't this so much better than..? • Do you know why that isn’t a good choice? We should strive to ask questions that promote thoughtful reflection on the topic or issue at hand. Quality questions help others feel included, respected, and safe to share their perspectives and ideas. Do you agree? Share your COMMENTS below. ⤵️ 𝗛𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 🔔 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 | Tony Gambill #careers #leadership #management #humanresources

Saying "it’s a safe space" doesn’t make it a safe space.  Here’s what does: 1. Actively listening. 2. Assuming positive intent.  3. Practicing what you promise.  4. Admitting when you got it wrong.  5. Valuing disagreement and debate. 6. Seeking out diverse perspectives.  7. Seeing failure as a learning process. 8. Celebrating when people are brave & speak up. 9. Speaking well of people when they aren't around. 10. Staying curious when receiving constructive feedback

I have been participating in a mentorship/professional development program, and our last discussion was centered around our personal brand and the things we need to either change or improve it. This was done through a questionnaire to professional and personal people in our lives. Many of us, including myself, talked about the improvements we want to make to reach the next level in our careers, which is a key focus of this program. For example, many of us are the “doers” known for getting tasks at hand done. However, we need to shift our mindset to effectively delegate tasks to our team members because even though we’re capable of doing it, it should be our team’s task. In contrast, one of my colleagues shared that she was happy with her current brand and the way people perceived her, which sparked a conversation about authenticity. This got me thinking—can we truly be our “true selves” at the workplace? I found an article that discusses the double-edged nature of authenticity and outlines a five-step path to becoming a better leader. https://lnkd.in/eFisVVau

We realize though, that there may be times when what you say and how it’s experienced by others may not always be aligned. You may even think (or say), “That wasn’t my intent!” While it may be true, “That wasn’t my intent,” limits dialogue. When we say, “That wasn’t my intent!” we’re not offering an apology nor an expression of understanding of the other person’s experience. We’re saying our intention is more important than their experience. Consider this: 🔴 Instead of stopping at “That wasn’t my intent,” own your impact and get curious. 🔴 You could say something like,“That wasn’t my intent, and I can see/hear that the impact of my statement was very different than my intent. Can you share your experience with me?”. 🔴 Then listen. Really listen. Don’t defend. 🔴 Thank them for sharing their experience. When you embrace that your words may not have had the impact you intended, and then you own it and work with it, you’ll be much more effective and more deeply connected. As always, keep us posted on what's working for you. Linda Carpenter PhD, Stephanie Smith, and Heather Stewart #impactvsintent #executivecoaching #leadershipdevelopmentcoaching #TeamSuccess

Thank you Shanna Castanie, MBA for reposting this article. I found the article to be helpful in highlighting the importance of positive managerial skills - concern for others, fostering cooperation, resolving conflict, and giving honest feedback. All are important in forming and keeping trust. It's really hard to have success without trust.

Why Taking Things with a Grain of Salt Matters: In our professional dialogues, the phrase "take it with a grain of salt" often surfaces. But beyond just a cautionary idiom, it embodies a profound approach to communication and reaction. When we 'take things with a grain of salt', it's not about altering the message received, but rather, transforming our response to it. This subtle shift can redefine interactions and outcomes. This mindset urges us to pause and reflect. Whether it's feedback, criticism, or even a proposal, considering it with a grain of salt means engaging with thoughtfulness and strategic thinking. Instant reactions are often defensive. But when we take a moment, weigh our words, and then respond, we open the door to constructive dialogue and mutual Each time we choose to respond thoughtfully, we're not just navigating one conversation better; we're honing a skill that elevates our entire professional journey. This approach is not about being passive, but about being powerful in our responses. It's about extracting the essence of interactions and responding in a way that aligns with our goals and values. #CommunicationSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment #Leadership #WorkplaceWisdom #CareerGrowth