I was invited once to a meeting with a smart, successful and inspirational leader. I was advised that should I get a chance to speak (it was a 1 on 1, 45 min meeting!), I should try to use the opportunity to test an idea we have been working on. The leader was articulate and very bright, so I stayed intentional about finding “the” opportunity to ask about the matter. When they offered to be a sounding board should I have a question in the future, I was nervous, but shared our team’s plan. I came out from the meeting with insights that broadened our perspective. We had changed our course of action as a result.
* As a people manager, project manager, leader, how often do you offer to be a sounding board to your subordinates and peers?
* And how often do you ask others to show you the things you need to see? Or that they share their perspective?
— Waiting for your turn does not always work. Let’s be intentional about creating space for discussion to happen —