What did you have for breakfast this morning?
That was a choice you made. The decision process is part of your leadership signature. This is connected to how you approach choices every day, as a manager or as a staff member.
You signature may be passive or aggressive; it can be empathetic or in can be disconnected.
Balance
The most important piece to consider is how you keep connected. If you approach causes you to be disconnected from those you work with and influence, you can lose success and be frustrated with the outcomes.
Some of the best way to approach the situation is to use a balance between the directing and the empathetic. You need to spend time showing interest and getting information from others, while showing that you will limit what you will talk about to the key points: the points that need to be addressed.
How do you keep the conversation on track, especially in a group setting? By making sure that the objectives are spelled out with an agenda. This can be your own agenda or an agenda put out by others. If the topics have drifted and are no longer productive to the stated objectives of the agenda, you can politely interrupt to help get back on track.
How to interrupt to get back on track
Each situation is different, but most people will work with the following methodology:
- Acknowledge the value of topic and/or speaker
- State that the topic does not seem to match the agenda, and suggest it would be better discussed at a different time
- Restate the key issue that needs to be discussed
- Add your own value with an “I feel” or “I think” type statement
- Add a “we” statement that shows the group working together to a future, positive outcome
- Potentially ask a question of another person to keep the refocused topic going
You may need to be extra sensitive when the person who is off-topic is in an influential position, such as leadership above you.
Making sure your style is flexible
For each situation, you will need to adjust your style. You should take in account the different personality styles and moods of the people you are trying to reach. One of the ways to be more connected to the current feeling, is to make sure to ask some questions. It is good to have a little conversation going. This give you:
- A feel for what people are feeling
- Get more input on the situation to make sure you have enough details
- Making sure others feel included in part of the process
Non-leaders and aspiring leaders
As a non-leader, now is the time to work on your leadership signature. Show that you understand challenges going on from the point of view of your boss. This will connect you with them and show that you have a perspective with which they will be more connected.
Make sure your leadership style is showing the signature you want to have seen.
You may not be aware what your style says about you: http://www.heidrick.com/Knowledge-Center/Article/What-is-your-leadership-signature
Balance by definition eludes to an equal state and gives no levity for motion, which is the reason our world and the universe doesn’t implode on itself. To reconcile that thought with the leader’s required motion during any employee engagement, I would demonstrate the need to express emotion, or empathy, toward the issue’s impact and the employee’s dilemena. I think the real key for this is consistency and adjustment behaviors.
Thanks Gene – good points!