In last week’s Bulletin, we shared nine common mistakes leaders make when starting difficult or important conversations. We promised you a better way this week. Consider that your listener is there to make a decision. If you are there to get a decision, you both have something in common before the first word is spoken.
Source: evancarmichael.com, February 6, 2012.
When the conversation begins, your listener is thinking, ‘Why should I care?’ or ‘what’s in it for me?’ The sooner you answer that question, the quicker the listener will focus on what you are saying.
INSIGHTS: Using this same methodology to begin staff meetings will reduce meeting time by up to one third because the meeting will stay focused on the decision at hand. Try it. It works.