Here’s a familiar scenario:
Manager: I’ve reviewed my expectations several times but I’m not getting the results I need. I don’t know what’s wrong, but the team is not following through. I go over the issues, but no one speaks up during staff meetings when I ask if anyone has any questions. These people just don’t understand.
Out of Touch
Years ago a Manager actually posed that scenario to me directly…during an organization-wide managers meeting. Talk about having to think quickly on your feet! I had to try to offer a suggestion while not embarrassing her. That was not fun. Sadly, too many Managers have convinced themselves that they are effective communicators, when in fact they don’t have that skill developed to the degree necessary to lead others. It’s not that they can’t become effective communicators, it’s just that they aren’t willing to accept the fact they they aren’t effective right now.
Humility is Hard
The advantage I had in the scenario above is that the Manager was willing to ask the question. That left the door open for me to follow up with her once her peers were not all listening so I could dig deeper into her communication style. For those Managers that have absolutely convinced themselves that they are communicating well and don’t need any feedback, the road ahead is often difficult. Sometimes those that believe in their approach so completely are tenured leaders which makes the whole feedback/learning option nearly impossible.
pic courtesy of redbubble
