The Engaging Leader Diary – Engaging Conversations

Today my mind is on pruning back a massive hedge in my garden before spring sets in. If I had regularly maintained it each year and effectively chipped away at it then it would not now be a tangled 10 foot high mass and an enormous job to bring it back under control.

This reminds me of the challenge with people. If regular conversations are not occurring then issues build up and tangled messes can develop. Where people’s attention is more focused on the numbers, new ideas or operational delivery rather than the people aspects challenges build up for the future. Good people also leave!

How regularly are you having deep honest conversations with your people? Are you walking the floor frequently and making them feel special with your interest and caring consideration. Are your regularly having team meetings? Are you praising them for what they have done well?

Like pruning a hedge do keep those engaging conversations going regularly with your employees, bosses, suppliers and clients.  People love to receive feedback that they are doing a great job every 7-9 days. Most people though receive that feedback at their annual appraisal.

Chris Cooper is an engagement specialist, coach and speaker. He is host of the Business Elevation Show on Voice America and Co-Author of The Power To Get Things Done (Whether You Feel Like It Or Not). Chris@chriscooper.co.uk