Understanding and adapting communication styles can enhance teamwork within a team.
Assessing gender and cultural differences, using empowering language, and celebrating small wins can help someone increase their confidence.
Deep dives
Improving Communication Styles
Margaret seeks materials for an activity to identify communication styles within her team. Although Bonnie and Dave haven't focused on communication styles specifically, Bonnie mentions a valuable exercise she learned during her certification as a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator facilitator. It involves a continuum from indirect to direct communication and helps individuals understand their default communication style and adapt it to different contexts. Additionally, Dave recommends the Go Team resources and the Clifton Strengths assessment to enhance communication within teams.
Boosting Confidence in Team Members
Jeff, a new leader, wants advice on helping a team member build confidence. Dave highlights the importance of assessing any gender or cultural differences that may impact confidence. He suggests encouraging behavior changes that exhibit confidence, like refraining from excessive apologies and embracing silence in presentations. He emphasizes the power of language in shaping confidence, recommending the use of 'becoming' instead of 'not good at.' Dave also recommends setting achievable goals and celebrating small wins to boost confidence.
Knowing When to Let Go of Control
Christopher seeks guidance on when to accept that he doesn't have control over a situation, despite rationally challenging authority. Dave suggests considering ethical and fiduciary responsibilities, coupled with assessing the importance of the issue. He advises expressing opinions with supporting evidence and exploring potential paths for compromise. Dave also emphasizes the value of detachment and setting boundaries to avoid allowing emotions and pride to cloud judgment. He suggests redirecting energy towards smaller efforts aligned with personal values and driving positive change within the organization.
Navigating Power Dynamics in Leadership
Dave references his conversation with Richard Ryerson, a first officer, on challenging authority in the cockpit, providing insights applicable to leadership. He differentiates between life-threatening situations and judgment calls, highlighting the rarity of clear-cut life-threatening cases in leadership. Dave advises expressing opinions and advocating based on evidence, ensuring alignment with ethics and values. He encourages considering opposing perspectives and the possibility of personal misjudgment. Dave also suggests focusing on areas where one can make a difference and collaborating with others to effect positive change.
Bonni Stachowiak: Teaching in Higher Ed
Bonni is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, Dean of Teaching and Learning and Professor of Business and Management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, she was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. Bonni is the author of The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide*.
Listener Questions
Margaret is wondering what resources we’d recommend for her team to identify different communication styles.
Jeff asked us what steps we might take to help someone increase their confidence.
Christopher mentioned a prior episode and is seeking our advice on what to do when challenging authority is ignored.
Resources Mentioned
GO Team Resources by Susan Gerke and David Hutchens
Creative Acts for Curious People* by Sarah Stein Greenberg
Emergent Strategy* by adrienne maree brown
StrengthsFinder
Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict* by Donna Hicks
Related Episodes
How Teams Use StrengthsFinder Results, with Lisa Cummings (episode 293)
How to Lead an Offsite, with Tom Henschel (episode 377)
End Imposter Syndrome in Your Organization, with Jodi-Ann Burey (episode 556)
The Way to Make Struggles More Productive, with Sarah Stein Greenberg (episode 569)
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