by Herb Baum

"Sometimes it's hard to be a good listener. We're human after all, and we're not like dogs or cats that have senses so heightened that they can hear even the lowest-frequency sounds without effort. Some animals run in erratic circles when an earthquake is about to hit because they can hear the P waves, the very first pressure waves at the rupturing fault of an earthquake; but a lot of times we humans don't know a disaster is coming until it's too late. Wouldn't it be nice if you could sense every disaster at the rupturing fault, before it hit your life or business? But we're human, and it's not that easy. We have to work on developing our listening skills, and we have to think of listening as an important component of leading.

Listening is especially important for leaders at high levels. If you want the truth, you have to get into the trenches and listen; otherwise the information you receive will be filtered up through employees and managers until it reaches you clean, clear, and . . . distorted. You won't hear about the issues that negatively impact your business units, you won't hear about the employee who made your customer angry, and you won't hear about the demeaning manager who affects employee productivity (negatively). If you make it a point to listen at every level and keep an open-door policy that encourages employees to communicate with you, you'll be able to hear the good and the bad, and detect disasters before they strike. Be a good listener. You'll be surprised how much you'll learn (Baum, 2004, p. 33-34)."

Reference: Baum, H. (2004). The transparent leader: how to build a great company through straight talk, openness, and accountability. New York: Harper Business.

If you are interested in reading this book, click here.

Reprinted with permission from the OSU Leadership Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, (614) 292-3114, http://www.leadershipcenter.osu.edu.

This week spend some time walking around your company and listen to what is being said and needs to be said. Listen, not only with your ears, but with all of you. Develop your skill of listening to bring you greater awareness.

June 22, 2006
Pounce on a Project VI -- 2006

Last month we had some great results including: taking back control of office space, to working on the executor role in an estate, and getting caught up in e-mail. The ideas, energy and support were flowing. One participant said, " Stuff attracts stuff! You need to take time to manage all the things (paper, books, etc.) that come at you. Pounce provides time to do that."

What project would you like to get on top of and accomplish this month? Come to Pounce on a Project VI -- 2006. Join Coach Andrea on Thursday, June 22nd, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Eastern. We will join as a group by phone and declare what you want to accomplish: getting your website finished, clean up that corner of your office that is looking really scary, finish an article early for Friday's deadline or make cold calls.

During the morning, the group will gather by phone a few times to check progress and get any support needed to finish with a bang. At noon, the group will celebrate their accomplishments. Who says projects have to be boring and tedious? Bring your lightness and fun and join us for the energization. To sign up or learn more, call or e-mail Andrea by noon on Wednesay, June 21st. Feel free to share this with friends and co-workers, the more the merrier. (Cost of the program is only the cost of long distance phone calls.)

Coach Andrea's Coaching Tip of the Week is brought to you by Andrea Novakowski, Master Certified Coach who provides Business and Personal Coaching to Executives, Small Business Owners, Professionals and Managers. Andrea is a professional coach who partners with people to set goals and create momentum to produce effective results in their business and/or personal lives.

Andrea is available for individual coaching. If you are serious about reaching your goals and living with greater fulfillment and satisfaction, consider using a coach. To schedule a COMPLIMENTARY initial consultation, send an e-mail to Andrea at
andrea@coachandrea.com.

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Coach Andrea
Focusing your vision, achieving results

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