Achieving Clarity: Part Two
An excerpt from my forthcoming book Ingaging Leadership: The Ultimate Guide
Practical Steps for Achieving Clarity
Connect the issue at hand with its significance to the individuals involved. Explain how a clear understanding could elevate their personal performance and the organization's standing.
Be transparent about your thoughts, beliefs, and the facts at your disposal. Encourage open, two-way dialogues. Keep in mind the distinction between facts (the verifiable reality) and opinions (individual perspectives).
Validate shared understanding through active reiteration. Request that people echo your thoughts. This promotes collective clarity and reveals any discrepancies between fact and opinion.
Encourage feedback and criticism, but ensure these are based on facts rather than unfounded beliefs. Remember, the goal is to enhance comprehension, not to assert the superiority of one's opinion.
Check regularly to be sure effective communication is taking place. For instance, ask, "Can you reflect back on what I just mentioned, distinguishing the facts from the opinions?"
Foster an environment of trust. This involves cultivating a culture free of blame, where participants feel comfortable admitting they've lost focus, need a point clarified, or when they've intermingled fact with opinion.
Advocate for deep, committed listening. This not only facilitates collective clarity but also aids in separating fact from opinion.
In conclusion . . . It is not enough to simply understand a topic or an action you are considering. To take your leadership to the next level, clarity is needed. I hope that the steps I recommend in this chapter will help you move to a higher level of leadership effectiveness.
