WHAT IS LISTEN TO LEAD?

The Challenge:

Developing motivated leaders and teams who can deliver innovative results.

Change and chaos can drive individuals to think, speak and act in ways that unconsciously undermine their good intentions.  Effective businesses thrive when leaders create motivated, dynamic teams. They do this by thinking, speaking and acting in ways that consistently inspire others.  Now, more than ever, leadership requires an ability to see the bigger picture, hear and assess individual opinions, motivations and strengths, as well as clients' unspoken concerns and needs.

Listening is a fundamental skill that can be challenging, and, when mastered, a powerful asset.  The question is,  "How can we develop this fundamental skill to hear possibility when others hear obstacles?”  Without the ability to hear possibilities, we repeat the past, and miss opportunities to fully engage teams to create a shared vision for future success.   

The Solution:

Listen to Leadis a one-day workshop that explores and differentiates two listening choices:  Past-Based Listening and Results-Based Listening:

1.  Past-Based Listening comes from automatic, “already” listening based onone’s values, styles, and history.    It is the backdrop for instant assessment of anything heard, and, not heard.  Past-based listening fosters significant time-wasters: command and control leadership, gossip, worry and talk for talk's sake.  It generates resignation, positional attitudes, conflicts and "busy-ness".  It lives silently in the background of our listening, speaking and actions.  Worse, it limits real conversation and connection for innovative collaboration.  It is challenging to be motivated when one is engaged in past-based listening.

2.  Results-Based Listening comes from a commitment to collaborate for innovative results.  Results-based listening fosters a culture of curiosity, appreciation for diverse points of view and flexibility.  It’s listening and speaking that engages and encourages open and honest conversation to “mine the gold” in teams.  Leaders and teams implement new strategies based on a broad knowledge base.  Conversations become focused and ideas are valued and explored.  Individuals are motivated by inclusion, contribution and accomplishment. 

The Achievement:

In this interactive workshop, leaders and teams discover and move beyond automatic past-based listening.  Participants discover what they inherently “listen for” -- the unconscious biases that undermine trust and prevent collaboration.  They observe and experience the impact of their listening and speaking.  Participants gain an appreciation for their unique leadership strengths and developmental opportunities.  Leaders learn skills to unite and motivate an authentic, results-focused team.  These leaders learn to draw on team strengths, ideas, and adaptability.

The Commitment:

This workshop is the catalyst for change and on-going development.  It can be followed up with additional sessions to reinforce and deepen development.  A commitment to create a self-developing/coaching team for lasting change is essential  All workshops are tailored to address  business and team issues. The first step to leading a productive, motivated team is scheduling a workshop.