Five simple tips you can employ to make a positive impact in the world
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There is so much happening in our world today. It’s hard to know what to say, or when, or to whom. Our work is often focused on reducing complexity for leaders, which feels like a challenge right now. Our work is also focused on action and impact:
What action can I take, right now, that will have a positive impact?
We realized that many of the strategies we ask business leaders to employ on a regular basis are relevant in our current situation. Maybe even more so now, when the need for integrity, connection, and personal leadership has never been more clear.
So here are five ideas that might just help make our world a little better:
Listen: We write often about the need for more - and more effective - listening. Now more than ever, being present with others and listening deeply is so important. Listen to the words people choose; words carry weight. Listen to the perspective that’s being shared – because it’s different than yours. And most importantly, listen to what’s NOT being said. Listen for the ideas, the thoughts, the emotions that can’t be put into words. That’s the rest of the story.
Ask questions: A client recently told me that he’s learned that he can have more effective conversations by bringing in his questions, not his commentary. We’re often so interested in putting our own thoughts on the table that we miss the chance to go deeper with someone else. A simple “What did that mean to you?” or “What did you learn from that?” can spark a different level of communication. And better communication builds trust. Author Steven Covey tells us that “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication.”
Challenge your own assumptions: In our bias training, we make the point: if you have a brain, you’re biased. It’s that straightforward. Our brains are wired for efficiency. They’re designed to categorize and process information as quickly as possible. While this used to be a survival technique (Friend? Foe? Tiger? Kitten?), it doesn’t always serve us well. If you think you’re sure of something, check your assumptions. Seek out contrary information. You might just be surprised!
Allow for mistakes: No one gets it right all the time. Most of us get it right some of the time. Allow for mistakes. Allow for do-overs. Remember childhood playground games? If you didn’t like what happened, you’d just call for a do-over. Cut people some slack. Forgive. And do this with yourself, too. A little compassion goes a long way. We’re in no way minimizing the larger issues at the forefront right now, or the need for meaningful discussion, action, and change. As we all work on navigating effectively and meaningfully, we know that driving change often includes missteps. To learn from our mistakes and do better requires us to acknowledge that we will have mistakes along the way. The late great Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, DO better.”
Reflect: There’s power in reflection. According to the Harvard Business Review, “One second is all it takes to become less reactive and more in tune with the moment. And in that one second lies the opportunity to improve the way you decide and direct, the way you engage and lead. That’s an enormous advantage for leaders in fast-paced, high pressure jobs.” It’s an enormous advantage for all of us. Take time to reflect – and do better.
The greatest impact can often come from the simplest approach. Take one small step today to lead, and to change yourself and our world for the better.