August 2010

Todd's Results Chart and BlackBerry - 2010
Learn the purpose behind the chart and the Blackberry.

 

Ah-Ha! Moment – In August and early September, I experienced first-hand the difference "active listening" and "good feedback" can make.

In August, I learned almost two weeks after the fact I had made a poor decision in giving a particular assignment to a staff person. This person was uncomfortable sharing feedback with me, and apparently I had not been actively listening to this person partly because the assignment was communicated by e-mail, and partly because I was rushing around trying to get things wrapped up before leaving for a 10-day family vacation. Had I been actively listening which includes being sensitive to the other person's perspective, and looking for non-verbal clues after sending the e-mail I might have been able to pick up on the issue, which did not surface until after I returned from vacation.

  • Lesson 1 – "Active listening" can compensate when "good feedback" is not provided. (For more on "good feedback," see my comments in "Todd's Results" for 2009 on my experiences applying concepts from the book Formula 2+2: The Simple Solution for Successful Coaching, by Douglas B. Allen and Dwight W. Allen.)

Later that month, I felt one of my back teeth suddenly develop a sharp edge. I thought, "Oh boy, I don't know exactly what happened, but I'm pretty sure how this is going to end." Sure enough, I had broken off part of a molar, and the necessary dental procedure was scheduled for early September. This "grind, drill, and mold" procedure is pretty routine, unless you have an extreme gag reflex like me. Fortunately, I have an amazing dentist, Laura Steinberg, DDS! Laura is very down-to-earth and is incredibly concerned about her patients' experience. So, at least two times during the 2+ hour "procedure," I could not tolerate what Laura was doing, and had to tell her, "This isn't working, what's your Plan B?" The great thing? She listened to me, and came up with a Plan B each time! Had I not been giving her "good feedback" and had she not been practicing "active listening," I would have had a poor experience. As it was, the whole procedure was a non-event, for which I am extremely thankful!

  • Lesson 2 – "Active listening" coupled with "good feedback" yields "amazing results"!

Both were very valuable lessons, which once again proves experience is indeed the best teacher!

Todd

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