WorkMatters Tips Issue #26 – August 7, 2007
Publisher: Gayle Lantz mailto:lantz@workmatters.com
https://workmatters.com
WorkMatters, Inc.
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A quick tip to help leaders and executives who need to motivate their teams and themselves, and catapult their business.
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What’s Most Important?
This summer our family went fishing in the St.Johns River while visiting relatives in Florida. There’s something peaceful about just concentrating on what you might catch next. Fishing has a way of letting you tune out the rest of the world while waiting for something, anything, to bite so you can reel it in.
In the same way, skilled leaders can draw out great things in their people. It requires setting the right conditions, provoking a little thought and practicing patience.
When I first started my business, I participated in an executive coach training program as part of my own professional development. Participants were encouraged to focus on the question,"What’s most
important?" It’s the kind of question that can help you reconnect with your purpose and values.
As part of the process, I was told that when a person gives his answer to the question, "What’s most important?" I should respond, "What’s important about that?" And when the person gives his answer to that question, I should continue with the same question, "So what’s important about that?"
This helps the client go deeper into issues that really need to be addressed. As a leader, you can be a great coach by asking the tough questions. Be prepared for some resistance and some breakthroughs.
If a team member is stuck on a business problem, don’t solve it for him. Help him think through it. Asking "What’s most important?" does help a person think more deeply which can lead to better
clarity, decision making, action and results.
So I thought you might want to try it for yourself. As your virtual coach for now, try answering these questions:
* What’s most important?
You go ahead and set the context. It doesn’t matter to me. You can set the context in life, work, business, health or something else. Jot down your answer.
Then ask yourself…
* What’s important about that?
When you’ve got that answer, ask yourself the same question again in relation to that answer…
* So what’s important about that?
You get the picture. You can go as far as you want with this process. I hope it might help you gain needed perspective.
For fun,think about how you would have answered the question, "What’s most important?" 10 years ago. I bet your answer might have been different.
To grow as a leader, ask questions to help people think better. Go beyond the superficial conversation. Re-explore what’s most important to them.
Keep fishing for answers until you have more clarity yourself. Then you can help others do the same.
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ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there’d be a shortage of fishing poles."
~Doug Larson
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Reprinted from "WorkMatters Tips," a free ezine produced by Gayle Lantz featuring tips for leaders and executives who want to grow themselves, their team and their business. Subscribe at
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