5
Words and Phrases Powerful Leaders Always Use
Don't let the
simplicity of these words and phrases fool you. They can have a powerful impact
on your team.
Words are
powerful, and words spoken by leaders have even more power. Because
you're a leader, your words can build up or tear down. They can either
stoke or dampen enthusiasm. Your words can bring out the best or elicit the worst in
people.
When you use the right words, as Confucius
said, you can "know more." You can comprehend where someone is
coming from and get a better grasp of the situation. And because you have
better visibility, you can make better decisions.
Using the
right words will also make you a more effective leader, one who
motivates and elicits the willing cooperation of your team.
If you want to become a more powerful leader,
here are five words and phrases to use:
"And"
The word "and" is inclusive. It
expands, it joins, it connects.
Using
"and" instead of "or" makes you a more powerful leader,
because you recognize that there are many more possibilities than what others
see. You think in a less binary way. The choices
aren't only A or B. They're A, or B, or A and B. You're opening up the
possibility of doing both A and B, of things coming together. Simply by using
"and," you've already expanded the options.
"Why"
When we were four years old, we annoyed the
grown-ups with a litany of "why" questions: "Why is the sky
blue?" "Why do we need to sleep?" It signaled a developmental
milestone. We had grasped the concept of cause and effect.
Somewhere along the way, many adults stop
asking why. As a leader, you cannot afford to. When people bring you ideas, or
when something happens, you want your people to be better at understanding
what's going on, and to give you better information. That takes prodding.
Asking "why?" both of others and internally to yourself is powerful. By asking why, you will explore the inner
workings of events, and come up with solutions that address root problems. You
will discover the deep motivations of people, and find ways to fully engage
them.
"Tell me more"
When your initial reaction to a suggestion is
to say no, it's a clue that you should say "Tell me more," instead.
Sometimes you're legitimately missing something. This phrase makes you a
powerful leader, because you're seeking understanding. You're withholding
judgment until you fully appreciate the complexity of the situation, or the
multiple facets of an idea.
But even if you're right and the idea isn't a
sound one, people still need to feel heard. Saying "tell me more"
signals that you're in listening mode. And listening is one of the most
critical skills of a great leader.
"Whether"
This is the word to use when you find
yourself asking "how" to do something. We often get caught up in the
"how," but we don't stop to think "whether" it is the best
thing we should be doing. You see a course of action, and you want to execute
right away. Step back and look at "whether" you should do it in the
first place. Ask why you should carry out the plan. It's easy to get carried
away with the excitement of doing something new or different, without clearly
understanding what you expect to gain from it. When you've established
"whether" a plan aligns with your organization's goals, then you can
ask "how."
"What do you think we should do?"
Socrates was
on to something when he found a way to teach students, not by giving answers, but by asking them questions. Leaders are
sometimes too quick to offer solutions. Next time an employee brings up an
issue, respond by asking, "What do you think we should do?" This will
help your staff grow, because it empowers them to work things out on their own.
Instead of giving them answers, let them flex their problem-solving muscles and
strengthen their critical thinking skills. This question also allows you to
explore ideas other than yours. It opens up a discussion that may eventually
lead to a synergistic solution.
These words and phrases build up people,
increase understanding, fan the fire of enthusiasm, and bring out the best in
others. Use them every day and you'll become a more powerful leader.
BY DANNY
INY
http://www.inc.com/danny-iny/5-words-and-phrases-powerful-leaders-always-use.html?cid=em01014week30a
No comments:
Post a Comment