Talking is Better than Yoga – Podcast

In this Podcast we share why and how talking can benefit teams and people within organisations.

The best way to enhance your leadership capabilities and effectiveness is to just LISTEN.

The title, ‘Talking is better than Yoga’, comes from a New York University research study where talking ‘therapies’ came out on top vs physical exercise (although as important), in alleviating workplace stress and anxieties.

Giving people the opportunity to talk through what they are doing lets them explain, explore, and plan the process involved in their project, thus enabling  leaders to understand their capabilities and overall effectiveness.

But listening with integrity is key.

Listen before giving any guidance and support that may be required. Encourage open conversations and pose an open question for more information. This is known as “naïve listening” where the leader may respond with an open question to better understand what their colleague is saying and the depth of their experience, preferences and more. To be most effective, listening should be naïve and active to lead to providing the foundation for giving the person the input or support he or she needs. In the words of Nelson Mandela “listen first and speak last,” – this mantra helps leaders to absorb what they are hearing before responding with their input.

Additionally, enabling like-minded team members from the same or different departments to engage together will also bring about a richness of shared ideas, models, and experiences in discussing a problem to help create a solution.

SPACE FOR CONVERSATIONS – both physically and dedicating time:

We often do not give enough time for space for conversations to enhance people performance. Allowing for that space helps leaders to evaluate where their support and guidance can be provided and how best to provide what is needed.

Re-frame meetings with a ‘space for conversations’ time allocation – be it a 1 to 1 conversation or dividing the team into groups. Groups can be of similar shared experiences or, mix it up in randomly selecting people of different experiences who might not normally have a conversation together, to share their insights.

Likewise, outside of meetings, maximise engagement by encouraging people to talk. Createneutral spaces throughout the building and encourage a difference in diversity and discipline.

HYBRID WORKING, VIRTUAL MEETINGS AND ENGAGEMENT:

‘Space for conversations’ is just as important for those working remotely. Create ‘break out rooms’ to enable people to talk through their ideas, issues, suggestions, and solutions. Encourage a community platform such as Whatsapp groups or within Microsoft Teams. This helps hybrid workers to feel a part of the team and comfortable to ask for help and support where required – or even just to bounce off an idea.

IN SUMMARY:

1. Create a space for conversations – step-back and listen to individuals and teams both when conducting face to face and online meetings
2. Trust the process – allow people to do what they are doing and to talk through the process by enabling open conversations
3. Practice naïve listening – ask open questions at the end such as “what do you think?” (what, when, why or how questions), to encourage a person to open up and expand on what is being said without you interrupting mid-flow.

Additional Resources:

1. The Importance of Listening – RASA: receive, appreciate, summarise and action
2. Hybrid Team Effectiveness – Blog – Unpacking the challenges and opportunities for team effectiveness within a hybrid workplace – by Simone Robinson, Oakridge acting managing director
3. Product Descriptor on Change Management
4. Developing Change Resilience – 7 Top Tips
5. Product Descriptor on Paying Attention to What Matters
6. 7 Top Tips for Performance Conversations
7. TEA Model with the 3 C’S on Maintaining Team Performance: climate, clarity and capability – by Jerry Scott, Oakridge Senior Consultant
8. 10 Ways to have a better conversation – Celeste Headlee
9. VIDEO: Active listening skills – Alex Lyon, phd
10. The Oakridge Centre Podcast Library