“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 Generations, Hidden Heroes and Power Suck.
Another example of that is behavior behind the wheel of a car. I can’t tell you how many times people have complained about the behavior of other drivers…and then done the exact same thing a few days later. It’s easier to see challenging behaviors in other people and hard when it’s you!
Now I challenge you, Misti, to write a new article on how to give feedback to Eduardo without irony, without self-righteousness…so he sees it in himself and resolves to never do it again.
Thank you, Dale! The “irony” of your challenge… I’m literally in the process – right now – of writing that chapter in my next book. Right now… I kid you not. 🙂
So… Challenge excepted;)