Change

“The next time you find yourself complaining about certain behaviors in your employees, stop and consider whether you might be unconsciously reinforcing those bad habits.” – Misti Burmeister

Sitting around the table with me were eight highly-acclaimed CEOs from the Washington-D.C. area. We were discussing my favorite topic: Provoking Greatness.

“My greatest challenge is getting my leadership team to listen to each other,” said Edwardo. “They talk over each other and refuse to hear what the other is saying.”

Several minutes later, as another CEO was sharing his vision and explaining what’s at stake if he doesn’t accomplish it, Edwardo interrupted him and shifted the conversation back to his team’s poor listening skills.

The irony was lost on Edwardo, but not on the rest of us.  No wonder his team members interrupt each other and try to dominate conversations without listening to other people. They learned it from watching him – or at the very least, this lesson was reinforced by him.

The next time you find yourself complaining about certain behaviors in your employees, stop and consider whether you might be unconsciously reinforcing those bad habits. Rather than wonder why they’re behaving a particular way, ask yourself, What changes do I need to make so that I see new behaviors in the people around me?

This is especially true when you’re in a position of leadership, and it’s the only place of real power.

Keeping it simple,

Misti Burmeister, best-selling author of From Boomers to Bloggers: Success Strategies Across GenerationsHidden Heroes and Power Suck.

Misti on Google+