Leading with Active Listening
Remember Jim, the leader who's having trouble with several of his direct reports? With active listening skills and a chance to go back in time, his talk with Mary could go something like this:
Jim: Mary, I've been wanting to talk to you. I sense that something is getting in the way of our working well together (pauses; Mary nods). I'd like to try to understand and change that (Mary nods again). It would help me to hear your observations.
Mary (not knowing exactly how to start): Well, I would say that one problem is that we don't have enough flexibility— (Jim's cell phone rings.)
Jim (reaching for the phone, setting it to silent and putting it away): I'm sorry. I forgot to turn the ringer off. You were saying that ...
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