Page 102 - Becoming a Successful Manager

Listening—Really Listen and You Will Hear More than Words 93

Discovery Lesson 2

Again recall the best manager you ever had. Think back to a time when
you came to this manager with a concern that you needed to have
resolved. How did this person make you feel during your conversation?
What specifi cally did the manager do to create that feeling? Record
your observations in your manager’s journal, and keep the lesson as a
reminder of what you might do to sharpen your listening skills.
Conversely, think again of the worst manager you ever had, and
examine the way this person approached your concerns. Do you
fi nd yourself exhibiting any of these characteristics either in person
or through messaging? Have you in the past? If so, what steps can
you take to change these behaviors? How can you approach issues
differently?

See if you can tell what is actually being communicated in the
following messages from employees to their managers. The words
are clear, but what other messages are there?

• Don’t you think we have too many meetings?
• You’re in charge; I’ll do it the way you want.
• Why is it every time we schedule an appointment it gets
canceled?
• What do I have to do to gain some appreciation around
here?
• I don’t know whether you realize it, but the only time I hear
from you is when I screw up in some way.