Protect Your People’s Ideas

"If every time a child comes up with an opinion he is squelched and put in his place, he learns that it is 'right' for him to be a nobody, and 'wrong' to be a somebody." Maltz

Many parents, teachers, and coaches understand this idea and try to encourage children whenever they can. Great leaders also use this principle with adults.

What if you replaced the word ‘child’ in this quote with the spouse? Co-worker? Team member? Employee?

This week I talked to several coaching clients and they all referenced really bad meetings. One of them told a story about the leader who discounted everyone’s idea at the table because it wasn’t his. Have you ever experienced that? Or perhaps you’re having a conversation with someone on social media or a friend over coffee. It doesn’t feel good to have your idea invalidated, does it?

How you handle someone else’s opinion or idea goes a long way toward successful leadership and it is imperative to get the results you’re looking for from your team.

Be careful with their ideas! Many people associate their ideas with a part of their identity. Discount their idea and you discount their personhood.

If you’d like to know more about how to increase your listening skills, follow the link below for the Grow By 1 search engine and input the word ‘listen’. You’ll have access to podcast episodes and videos on various platforms that will help.

GO HERE to use the Grow By 1 Search Engine