The story is told about a leader who
called for an important meeting among his direct reports. He did so because he
wanted some changes effected in his department. When the meeting started the
leader talked lengthy about his plans for their department. After he spoke he
gave the limited time that they had to his subordinates to share whatever ideas
that they may have.
After all of his direct reports were
through sharing their ideas he found out that their ideas were very different
from his own ideas. He was now in a dilemma on how he would reconcile this gap.
Typical, egotistical and authority
drunk leaders always speak first during important meetings. They do this to
emphasize their authority and to let everyone know who is the boss and master
of their organization. In doing so, they highlight their selfish, autocratic
and ego-driven intentions and behavior.
On the other hand, when a leader lets
his direct reports speak first he is silently telling them that their opinion
and ideas matter. That they are important and that they have a voice that needs
to be heard. When we listen first we are silently able to align their ideas to
our ideas and we can adjust our intentions without prejudicing their
intentions. So, we can easily arrive with a win-win outcome.
When the leader is the last to speak it
doesn’t mean that he is weak, that he is relinquishing his leadership and
authority. As matter of fact he is actually strengthening, solidifying and
reinforcing his leadership and authority. This also shows that the leader is
wisdom filled, confident and humble. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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