08/10/2022
As conscious leaders, we know that everything we communicate, both verbally and nonverbally, is received and acted on by our teams who are always listening. I was reminded of this great opportunity recently, sitting in a meeting as a visitor. There are so many ways for groups making decisions that will influence the future for decades to work together. Whatever our field of work, the common aspects of effective communication help us in each challenge we face.
I know how rushed our world of work can be- deadlines loom before we have time to gather all of the information at times. And in that environment, decisions must be made. More on how to create an environment that holds and strengthens decisions as a practice at another time.
So what about today? You may find yourself in a situation with part of your team where a decision of some importance needs to be made. Before heading down that familiar slide from brainstorming to final decision, try asking yourself a few key questions:
1. What have I done to prepare us all to think broadly, maybe even beyond where we need to immediately decide? An environmental scan, futurist observations, experienced source, research all add to creating the “place” where minds can reach out, unhinge from the pressure to make any immediate decision, and explore uncertainty and possibility even if for a brief moment during a meeting.
2. What am I doing about the invisible trap that is always there to snare us into what we have always done? If you don’t prepare, it will attach to every part of your brainstorming.
3. How am I helping to set up our discussion? Am I contributing to a black/white this-or-that limited set of thinking, or am I helping to lay out an array of thoughts and potential overlapping strategies from which we might choose?
4. Am I prepared to move to set up the next action steps? Did I think ahead about the timing, alignment with other goals and projects? Do we have personnel to address the need?
5. Am I prepared to think long-term about supporting the changes this initiative may need and resources it will require? Will consistent leadership remain in place during the length of this strategy?
We don’t always have all the answers when we begin working together. But the questions appear as a structure to help us work through each area we will need to reach our goal.
Coaching partners with training in this example to help leaders prepare, convene members, execute sound decision making processes, and execute toward outcomes. When you show up having prepared yourself first, you offer your best every day.
