Today, during practice 133, we read a bit about the recipe for making learning a lifelong habit of your heart. We heard from more than a few, at least more than a few spoke from the heart and gave us the opportunity to let it in. kramer reflected back on his lifelong learning from one of his teachers – mom. Suttleman reminded us of the power of listening. He shared he’s been given more learning opportunities than he’s taken the time to let in. We all have.
There are learning possibilities all over the place if we are willing to slow down, sit down, and humbly let those around – teach us. We cannot learn what we are unwilling to hear. Listen more. Let it in. Remember it is painful to listen in our big learning moments. This is why I teach all my clients to document their dissonant discussions with those they hope to help. Humans, it turns out, universally have a hard time letting in the good stuff that hurts as it’s heard. Humans have a hard time hearing the hard stuff. So, leader, when you find yourself delivering a tough message for the good of your receivers, go a step further and put it in black and white. Help the humans around you hear the hard stuff that is meant for good. Help them. And, remember, few of them are listening. Few of them are gonna let it in. Few of them are gonna believe you mean it for good. Get comfortable here.
Give the team what they need to hear, anyway. And, don’t forget to tune in and make sure you’re not off base, ill informed, or biased because of your perspective. Leaders listen, listen, listen. Leaders listen like banchees and teach a little bit here and a little bit there. Thanks, Mom, for that freakin’ magic piece of instruction back when our first came around.
Good practice team of krazies. Good practice. Good…
BUILT TO LEAD 