Coaching for the Workplace - Kaylus Horton
Benefit From Shared Thinking
By Kaylus Horton, Path™ Coach
Feb 28, 2011 - 11:14:25 PM

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  

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