You don’t have a “talk” to give next week.
In fact, you don’t ever give a talk. Funny that most of us don’t know this to be true. You and I may have a speech to give next week especially if we’re a Pastor or a Lawyer. Speeches are one way communications like so many sermons, opening statements, and even college lectures. However, regardless your profession, you most certainly will “talk” this week and next. Talking is always two way. A talk involves speaking and listening. And, our liberal arts education has come up a bit short as most of us aren’t proficient at either. In fact, we pretty much suck at listening, don’t we…
Every BTL team practice begins with a basic liberal arts education; we teach teams how to speak and listen. Every practice we begin with a talk. I ask the team to remind me of both why and how we practice speaking and listening “BTL style.” One person starts and then another “ands,” and then another, and then another. I simply tune in like an animal being stalked and wait until they’ve talked it through. If the team learns nothing else from BTL practice, they learn how to improve in the art of conversation.
Want to get even better? Learn how to write and read. BTL leaders aim at mastering these basics that have mostly been neglected by our modern world. Slow down and reflect…
What are you doing to improve your ability to connect with your team? Leaders are believers, yes. Leaders are connectors too. How well do you speak and listen with your team? How well do they hear you? How do you know this to be true? When was the last time you interrupted your speech to ask them what they’ve heard? Tell me more, my friend. Assuming you are still reading along…
Tell me more.
BUILT TO LEAD 