Argue Fairly with Respect

Do you like to argue?

Healthy disagreement can lead to lots of bright new ideas. Strong debate identifies the strengths and shortcomings in the positions and if explored imaginatively can lead to insights that build better relationships and more high performance results.

If...if we're willing to live with the discomfort of disagreeing. If we're willing to be influenced while we try to influence others. Those are big "ifs".

Healthy debate can help select the most robust ideas when played with respect and clarity.

We do better by respecting each other. We communicate better when our messages and intentions are clear.

We might not reach agreement. But the journey there might be the next step that we need.

When was the last time you participated in a lively, spirited and yet respectful debate? How did it turn out?

What do you now care passionately enough about to debate? Can you do that and still remain open to new views?

It might feel paradoxical. It might feel discomforting. But it just might be at the heart of high performance leadership.

--- Doug Smith

Front Range Leadership: High performance leadership training

doug smith training: how to achieve your creative goals

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Ambition without vision consumes everything around it. -- doug smith

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A Promise or A Plan?

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Monologue

When it sounds like I'm preaching I'm primarily talking to myself. -- doug smith

Are You In The Mood for Problem Solving?

Have you ever noticed people getting grumpy, just when they need to be at their best? Problems can bring out the skepticism in us. They can rankle our intentions and sour our mood. When that happens, don't deny it. Experience it. Let it find you in the moment and then let it go. Are you ready? Let it go. We can solve more problems in a good mood than we can in a sour mood. While we can't force a good mood, there's not much benefit to holding onto a discontented one. It's served its purpose once it has your attention. As a problem solver, it's time to move on. If your role is the leader in the problem solving effort, it's time to create a better space. Bring some things into the environment to build more comfort, trust, and energy: - food - water - soft music - light - warmth - confidence - acceptance - appreciation What else could you bring? What works best for you? What would work best for your group? Sour moods serve their purpose -- but...

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Share Decisions

Do you like working for a leader who makes all the decisions? Important decisions, little decisions, scheduling decisions, work distribution decisions...one after another? I know I do not. I like to work for and with a leader who allows me to share in the decision-making. We talk about the details. We compare the options. We align our work to our goals. How involved is your team in your team's decisions? It can be a trap to justify a "decide-and-announce" approach when it feels like those same decisions are being handed down to you from your manager or above. But don't do it. Find the choices. Explore the options. Share them with your people and see what a difference it makes in their productivity and morale. Of course you're in charge. The bottom line likely does stop with you. But you don't need to make every decision. I'm going to work at sharing more decisions. How about you? -- Doug Smith

High Performance Leadership

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