The 2nd “Are you” question

Enjoy this 2^nd post of 4 on “The Deliberate Team Leader"

If you are a deliberate team leader you will have felt the inevitable frustration of being clear - CRYSTAL CLEAR.  Most leaders think they are quite clear in their instruction and conversation. That’s likely not what their teams would say. More often than not their leader has left them seriously unclear and very frustrated.

A lack of ongoing, persistent attention to communicating with clarity is a significant obstacle for the small business leader who is committed to leading healthy teams.

As a leader you must get rid of the fog and drive for clarity!

Which one of these pictures describes your clarity as a leader? Are you clear? What would those around you say? 

Here are 8 “foggy traps” that make leaders frustratingly unclear to those around them and 8 solutions that help you Drive for Clarity in each trap.

1. The leader has little idea on what is needed, or what may be the most helpful next steps to move a process forward but gives direction anyways.

Solution: Pause! Hit the proverbial pause button before you speak. Reflect on what is needed prior to engaging and ask questions before giving direction.

2. The leader knows something needs to be done, but they have not considered the team members’ workload nor thought about how to communicate what is needed in a way that works for the team.

Solution: It’s not about you! Consider what’s on your team members’ plates as well as the timing, language, and method that will be best received by the team.

3. The leader gives hurried instructions, leaving the team struggling to make sense of the directions.

Solution: Hurry no more! Decide that being hurried is NOT good for you or anyone else. Embrace the fact that slow is often faster. Choose to breathe and ensure that understanding has occurred before moving on.

4. The leader assumes that lack of clarity is because the team member is not listening.

Solution: Assume the best! Assume that the person wants to be clear and consider how you could say it differently to help them hear you.

5. The leader assumes that the team member has no role in ensuring clarity.

Solution: Equal onus! Clarity is a 2-way street. You have your part; they have theirs. You both own finding clarity in a way that serves the purpose of the conversation.

6. The leader assumes that clear communication has occurred because they have spoken.

Solution: Do a clarity check! Ask the person to provide you with a recap of what was said, the implications of what is being asked, and any next steps they are to take.

7. The leader is unaware that one word can mean different things to different people. For example, the word “power” to a weight lifter could mean something very different from the word “power” to an abused person. It depends on the hearer’s context.

Solution: Be present! If you notice that something you’ve said is not working for the other person, stop and check. Driving on as if all is OK will only ensure a lack of clarity or worse.

8. The leader assumes that because they and the other person were clear some time ago, that they are still clear.

Solution: Revisit! To ensure ongoing clarity you need to revisit directions and conversations periodically. Life, circumstances and focus changes for you and others. 

Stay tuned for next week's post – A Deliberate Focus! 

Reignite your and your team’s drive for clarity. Come and join us at Leadercast 2019.

Click here and invest in your team’s clarity.

Driving for clarity has been one of my most challenging areas of growth as a leader. At times it has been frustrating, and at times discouraging. I continue to grow and drive for more and more clarity as I work with those around me.

How about you? Are you driving for clarity?

A Deliberate Application:

1. What’s your experience in leading with clarity? Are you encouraged or discouraged, or maybe both?
2. Which of the 8 “foggy traps” has tripped you up in your leadership of others?
3. When is the last time you’ve asked for feedback on your clarity? Are you OK with your answer?
4. What are you sensing God ask of you regarding your drive for clarity?
5. Who can you share this with?