Launching “The Point”, the new Javelin Success ezine!
There are several reasons why I chose the above name for this new e-zine. One of them is to have a new style, an e-zine that is short and to the point.
This is partly based on feedback from readers. But also, because people generally tend to be very busy, rushing about and don’t take the time to read long portions of text, so I’ve decided to give you short snippets of information and thoughts I have on key issues in life, work and business.
Listening
Do you ever spend time talking to someone and they completely miss the point of what you’ve just said. It’s really frustrating isn’t it! Sometimes it’s a case of them not listening properly. Sometimes it’s that they’ve heard part of what you’ve said and jump to their own wrong conclusions, assuming that you meant something else without listening to your whole story. Then you’ve to start all over again and re-explain it.
But sometimes, it’s because you haven’t explained it properly in the first place or you’ve spent so long not coming to the point that they completely miss the point.
In coaching, a lot of what I do is listening to what the client is actually saying and asking questions based on that, some questions to make sure that I understand what the person means and don’t assume it. It’s only then that I can begin to help them. I’ve so many questions at times, I have to actually force myself to stop asking and actively focus and listen. Listening properly first and asking questions is the best way to communicate.
Good communication is made up of both. It made me think of one of the main problems of our times and in our nation, and that is lack of proper communication and lack of good leadership.
Leadership and communication go hand in hand.
Good leadership is being the last person to speak in any group or meeting, observing and listening to everyone in the room first, then asking questions, before trying to encourage everyone to solve any problems together. It’s not assuming what others mean.
Good leadership involves serving others, not serving self.
Watch our country’s leaders!
- Are they self-serving or wanting the best for everyone?
- Do they do what is right by conscience and morality?
- Or do they act on what the popular trend is at the time?
- Do they shout others down? Or do they listen and try to do what is best for those to their right and their left.
- Do they unify, include and mediate, or are they divisive, argumentative and exclude others?
- Leaders are only true leaders when people voluntarily follow them.
