ITLP Tuesday Readings

In today's reading "Back from a vacation?", David Rock, founder of the NeuroLeadership Institute and CDO of Results Coaching Systems, reports on research indicating that we are more likely to solve really difficult problems when we have a fresh or quiet mind. Specifically the research points out that when faced with a new problem we apply strategies that worked in prior experiences. This works well if the new problem is similar to an old one, but is far less likely to work if there is little relationship between the two problems. What happens is that the older solutions get in the way, stopping any thoughts toward better solutions for the new problem. And, thus, the need for a quiet mind when we face difficult issues.

Now, when we return from vacation, our minds are usually quiet as the brain circuits for solving the problems we encounter at work have become less dominant. This means that new answers to tough problems are more likely to emerge into our minds when we haven't thought about a problem for a while.

Too often we waste this precious resource by jumping headfirst into the piles of materials that have accumulated while we've been away. So, when you return from your next vacation, take those first days back to work on the most difficult problem you have pending instead of trying to play catch-up.

Rock says: "Value this resource [your fresh mind] highly. It may be your only chance to see the mountain you are on, to decide that you are taking the right path up, or even if it's the right mountain to be climbing at all."

. . . . jim

EXTRA: Gina Trapani, author of Upgrade your Life and founding editor of Lifehacker.com, takes this one step further in her Fast Company article Do Your Worst Task First (Or, Eat a Live Frog Every Morning). Recognizing that a good night's sleep will take you back toward that clear, fresh mind, she argues that you should tackle your your highest priority task first. Trapani describes this task a bit differently (but we mean the same thing): "Do your worst task first. By 'worst' I mean 'most important,' and by 'most important' I mean the task you're most likely to procrastinate on." Told you, it was the same thing!

Posted by Jim Hall at 10:05 AM | Permalink

Today's reading is alternately titled Five Lessons We Can Learn from Toyota. In this piece Roberta Chinsky Matuson, founder of Human Resource Solutions, reflects on how you rebuild trust after you've made huge mistakes. She provides five lessons that can be learned from Toyota's current problems:

1. When you make a mistake, own it the moment you realize something is not right. If you are honest, from that first moment, you will likely be forgiven.

2. Take responsibility for the mistake. This means that you use the "I" word. Blaming inanimate objects like an organization or your team won't cut it.

3. Commit to make things right and then do so. Be transparent in your process.

4. Redefine expectations. Be clear about what can be expected from you in the future.

5. Do what you say you are going to do. Keep your commitment.

As you give more thought to the overall subject of trust, remember that trust is based on a mutual commitment to a shared vision. Without trust, there isn't much foundation for any relationship.

. . . . . jim

Posted by Jim Hall at 10:13 AM | Permalink

Recently Linkage published a short piece by Marshall Goldsmith - "When I Get Better at ..." A Simple Exercise for Changing a Behavior to Achieve Results {PDF} - which is this week's reading.

In this piece, Goldsmith describes a very simple exercise - select a behavior you want to change, for example listening, and then complete the sentence "When I get better at listening" listing one benefit that will result from my behavioral change. For example: When I get better at listening, I will hear my staff's complete thoughts.

And, then, after reflection, list a second benefit, continuing until you have listed six to eight benefits. You can do this as a personal exercise, taking time to really think through each of the benefits as your take time to reflect on your behavior. Or, you can do it in a small group.

In either case, be really honest with the benefits you list. Then ask yourself the question: Would it be worth making the change? If it is, go for it!

. . . . jim

Posted by Jim Hall at 1:21 PM | Permalink

No matter who we are, we will meet resistance on some matter every day. And, according to Kevin Daley, founder of Communispond, Inc. and author of "Talk Your Way to the Top" and "Socratic Selling," the way we handle that resistance is often counterproductive.

In "Overcome Resistance with the Right Questions", Daley notes that our default response to resistance is more selling. When we meet resistance, we roll out more evidence to support the idea. And, still we hear "no."

So, how should we proceed? Daley argues that the better way is to ask a set of easily answered questions that helps the other individual rethink assumptions and open up the possibilities for agreement. Richard Paul from the Center for Critical Studies suggests several different kinds of questins:

1. Clarification - What do you mean by __? Can you give me an example?

2. Assumptions - What have you assumed? What alternative assumptions could be made?

3. Reasons and Evidence - How do you know? Why do you think that is true?

4. Viewpoint and Perspectives - What does that imply? What do you see as alternatives?

5. Implications and Consequences - What do you think might be unintended consequences? How can we find out? Why is this important?

6. Questions about Questions - What does this mean? Why do you think I asked this question?

Asking the right question is only the beginning. You have to listen carefully to the answers. As Socrates has pointed out, you need to listen with not only your ears, but also with your eyes.

And, finally, Daley reminds us, that you must appeal to both the head and the heart of the other person. Appealing to the head may result in missing the stronger commitment that comes from an emotional connection.

The next time your idea meets resistance, ask a few questions for clarification.

. . . . . jim

Posted by Jim Hall at 5:41 PM | Permalink