This month as I re-read John C. Maxwell’s book
How Successful People
Think, chapter 9 the heading of this article really cause me to
focus on proving the New Your Times Best Selling Author theory that
it is beneficial to invite, listen to, review, understand, respect and
even act on the wisdom and perspective of others.
To test John C. Maxwell’s
belief, I reflected on the many conversations centered on the same topic
with professionals from diverse industries. Indeed, it was quite interesting
to hear and be enlightened by their belief, experience, and wisdom on
said topic.
Shall we test this belief
together? Let us for the sake of discussion choose “a car”
as our topic:
If we were to speak
to a bank’s loan officer, insurance agent, car dealer, car salesman,
autoparts specialist, auto mechanic, a chauffer, and auto detailer we
would be open to a myriad of comments about “a car.”
Let’s expand the exploration
even further by inviting a truck salesman, a sport utility dealer and
a motor bike collector to the conversation, we can only imagine the
range of comments and wonder how the topic of “a car” can evolve.
Pushing our test to
the edge, let us invite think about the outcome if an airplane pilot,
yacht owner and cyclist were invited to join in.
Are you beginning to
see as I have that broadening the range and expanding the scope of shared
thinking is beneficial. Adapting and implementing such a theory
in the workplace can allow for:
-
Quick gathering
of information.
-
Innovative
data collection.
-
Demonstration
of maturity and respect.
-
Appreciation
of diversity.
-
Capitalizing
on the strength of having more than one mind, belief, wisdom and perspective.
-
Receiving
greater results.
-
Collectively
adding value to ideas and people.
-
Demonstrating
cooperation rather than competition.
To ensure the above
benefits, it is imperative that the right people are invited to sit
around the table to share their thinking. John C. Maxwell cautions readers
to identify and select people who demonstrate the following criteria:
-
Greatest
desire is the success of ideas.
-
Can add value
to another’s thoughts.
-
Who can emotionally
handle quick changes in the conversation.
-
Who appreciate
the strengths of others in areas where they are weak.
-
Who understand
their place of value at the table.
-
Who place
what is best for the team before themselves.
-
Who bring
out the best thinking in the people around them.
-
Who possess
maturity, experience and success in the issue under discussion.
-
Who will
take ownership and responsibility for decisions.
-
Who will
leave the table with a “we” attitude, and not a “me” attitude.
John C. Maxwell cautions
readers that people should not be invited to sit at the table of discussion
for their status, influence, or job title alone.
Associates and leaders,
do your best to invite the right people to the table, to have an appropriate
discussion for the purpose to think, share and achieve beyond expectation
and measure.
Until our next,
Copyright @ 2010 Kaylus Horton
Kaylus Horton is the Principal
of Renaissance Group of Companies. As a Certified Path Coach she facilitates
learning and discovery for the focus, direction and the pursuit of vision.
For more information about
coaching in the workplace visit www.renaissancebahamas.com or send an
E-Mail: info@renaissancebahamas.com
