When I get Better at ...
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