Phillip Van Hooser - Transformational Service & Leadership

Effective Communications in the Workplace or Anywhere: Principle 1:  Talk with People

Good communicators are like magnets.  They draw people to themselves.

Like it or not, we are all measured to one degree or another by our ability as interpersonal communicators.  The more effective our communication skills, the more effective we can become in every aspect of our lives.  So, a couple of logical questions naturally follow, “How can I attract people by my ability to communicate?  How can I effectively learn to talk with people? 

Earn Their Trust by Taking Responsibility. The heart of any trust relationship is the belief that the person I am choosing to trust is willing to accept responsibility for his or her actions.  Therefore, to have others trust our ability as a communicator means we must readily take responsibility for making the communication effort successful, regardless the potential obstacles. 

Show Genuine Concern. Genuine concern cannot be faked.  Genuine concern is never established by casually talking about, talking around, talking behind, talking over or talking down to someone else.  Genuine concern can only be fostered by talking with an individual and thereby learning more about his unique circumstance—his needs, wants, desires, hopes, dreams, fears, failures, anxieties, and so on.  From this position of understanding comes the empathy necessary to connect emotionally. 

Learn to Listen, Listen to Learn. Effective listening is a formidable task that too few of us ever master.  But learning to be an effective listener is not impossible.  Practical listening skills include:  being patient, attentive and looking directly at the other person while he or she is speaking; striving not to interrupt unnecessarily; asking questions to clarify what is being said; showing empathy by fashioning questions that deal with the other person’s feelings; not changing the subject until all parties are ready to do so; and remaining poised and emotionally controlled throughout the communication.  The practical application and development of these listening habits ultimately allow us to listen and learn with greater effectiveness. 

Principle #2, Explain the Process, next time.

Phillip Van Hooser
Cultivating Great Leaders to Create Competitive Advantage
phil@vanhooser.com

Leader Transformation Tip 9: Respect is earned through consistent behavior. Your people will know what to expect. http://www.vanhooser.com

Phillip Van Hooser
Cultivating Great Leaders to Create Competitive Advantage
phil@vanhooser.com

Leader Transformation Tip 8: Recognize followers’ contributions constantly. Don’t let them feel taken for granted. Http://www.vanhooser.com

Phillip Van Hooser
Cultivating Great Leaders to Create Competitive Advantage
phil@vanhooser.com

Leader Transformation Tip 7: Always acknowledge your followers’ presence. Don’t let them feel overlooked. Http://www.vanhooser.com

Phillip Van Hooser
Cultivating Great Leaders to Create Competitive Advantage
phil@vanhooser.com

Leader Transformation Tip 6: Know your followers’ service anniversary date and call attention to it every year. http://www.vanhooser.com

Phillip Van Hooser
Cultivating Great Leaders to Create Competitive Advantage
phil@vanhooser.com

Leader Transformation Tip 5: Know your followers. Start with knowing their name & how to pronounce it. http://alturl.com/74yf

During 2009 my professional horizons were stretched quite literally.  Five times I left the United States to speak to and meet with international audiences in Canada, England, Germany, South Africa and Venezeula.  From Cape Town to Calgary to Caracas and beyond, each trip provided unforgettable intellectual experiences.  

In Marlow, England, I met and was interviewed by an award winning TV and radio broadcaster familiar to BBC audiences throughout Europe.  Jeremy Nicholas and I shared the stage and afterward, paused for a few minutes of lighthearted conversation regarding a number of topics including humor (”humour” for my European friends), connective communication and the importance of seeing ourselves through other people’s eyes.

 I hope you enjoy this brief, but lively exchange.

 Phillip Van Hooser
Cultivating Great Leaders to Create Competitive Advantage
phil@vanhooser.com

Our society revels in success stories. The rags to riches, Horatio Alger stories are inspirational for all of us. But being too ambitious can be seen as a negative by your followers. Remember there are two ways to get to the top. First, I am sorry to say, you can get there by climbing over people. Most of us know a few people who have chosen that approach. However, dedicated leaders know that there is an alternative route to the top. They know you can also get there by being lifted up by people. I ask, which of the two approaches has the firmer foundation?

Phillip Van Hooser
Cultivating Great Leaders to Create Competitive Advantage
phil@vanhooser.com

Leader Transformation Tip 4: Leaders take action on behalf of their followers. Who needs you to act for them today? http://alturl.com/gwt8

It’s a fair question. One that organizational leaders in a broad range of industries are asking these days.

Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with Bill Adelman, General Manager at Hopkins County Coal, a division of Alliance Resource Partners, for his views on why a commitment to training supervisors and managers is so critical in his industry these days. 

Bill also shares the qualities to look for in a supervisory candidate, the biggest mistake supervisors often make and the one characteristic that makes supervisors and managers excel.

Great advice from someone on the front lines of leadership! Watch Bill Adelman here. 

Phillip Van Hooser
Leadership Expert, Author & Keynote Speaker
phil@vanhooser.com