Page 165 - Roy W. Rice - CEO Material How to Be a Leader in Any Organization-McGraw-Hill (2009)

146 • CEO Material: How to Be a Leader in Any Organization

Now, you may eventually tell them all that, but it would be better
to answer “Tell me about yourself” with a question such as, “Would you
like to know about my work experience, educational background, or my
life outside of work?” In other words, make clear what they are asking. It
sets you apart from others who don’t and gives you time to think about
answering the question they are really asking instead of what you assume
they are asking.

When I start to sweat and my body gets really warm because of a
tone of interrogation, I block out the emotional feeling and
concentrate on listening to the words to try to focus and understand
the real concern.

When challenged, don’t jump on the person with all fours; instead,
ask yourself, “Is it necessary to respond?” and “Can I improve on the
silence?” Instead of “verbal vomit,” where you spew out any nasty thing
on your mind, take a deep breath (well lots of them, if necessary), bite
your tongue (not literally, but it doesn’t hurt that bad if you do), and keep
quiet a moment longer. Look the person in the eye, and ask, “Tell
me more.”
Slow down when you’re mad, put on the spot, feel defensive or
trapped, or have hurt feelings. You might end up where you divulge, dis-
close, let down your guard, emotionally flash, confess, or “level” without
a lot of thought with things that “crop up in your head.”
Do speak up audibly, though. According to the American Academy
of Audiology, more than half the population has some hearing loss.

Tell Stories

Instead of PowerPoint, statistics, facts, lists, intellectual rhetoric, quotes
from authorities, boring memos and e-mails, or clichéd corporate com-
munication missives, make your point, persuade, influence, engage lis-
teners, communicate, arouse listeners’ emotions, charge their energy, and
inspire—through anecdotes.
To be a raconteur, keep coming up with new ones (don’t tell the
same ones over and over again because they lose their impact), use the