Creating a High Octane Culture - Part 9
How present are you in the moment? Do you listen? I mean, really listen?
Last evening, I dropped my son off at soccer practice. Now, this wasn't regular soccer practice; he is four years old.
It was more like 10 little headless chickens on crack running after a ball while screaming like Indians who just located General Custer and we’re ready to kick some white man's booty.
In other words, it was awesome.
How awesome is it so see youth before it is corrupted by manners, self-consciousness and volume control etiquette?
They were having the time of their lives and I was so into being a dad at that moment; just watching. I was proud, happy and shucks, I may have even felt a tear (if I wasn’t so manly).
I looked around at the other dads and moms, hoping to share this moment and revel in our tremendous commitment to good parenting.
Instead, I saw something quite disturbing. And geeky as all hell.
Most of the parents weren't even watching their kids. They were staring like little minions into their Blackberrys, cell phones or whatever text messaging/e-mail mailing device they had.
I was in disbelief! They were missing a magic hour in their kid's life. What, to send to text to their friend to say, "I can't believe Jessica Simpson is dating Owen Wilson?" (yes, you heard it here first).
Well, whatever the e-messaging was, it must have been very important. I am sure they were all doctors emailing emergency prescriptions.
I felt sorry for these distracted parents. They were really missing a connection opportunity with their kid. I thought, “How in God's name did my dad watch my soccer games without a blackberry?” It must have been tough. Oh, the sacrifices he made...
Anyway, how does this relate to a having a high octane culture at work?
Listening baby.
Have you ever nodded your head at employee/fellow co-worker and really pretended well that you cared?
Well, maybe not you. But it happens.
Here is my challenge to you. LISTEN. Really Listen. FOCUS. Really focus. BE IN THAT MOMENT. Suck the juice out of that moment.
When you ask someone how their weekend was and they say "fine," demand more. Say, "No really, how was it? What did you do?" And then really listen to the answer.
Maybe you'll have a story to relate? But at the very least, you just won some respect from the person because you truly showed them that you were interested in them (Dale Carnegie 101!).
When one of my employees tells me on Friday what they're doing over the weekend and then on Monday I ask how it went, I often get a look like, "Wow, he was actually listening to me."
Bottom line - a man's attention span lasts about three seconds. A woman's is seven. So beat the odds and make yourself tune in! Be intent on connecting with that person. Be committed to being in that moment.
You'll be a better grounded person and also have a lot more fans around the office.
And may God let a cell tower fall on you if you check your Blackberry while someone is telling you about their weekend.
Last evening, I dropped my son off at soccer practice. Now, this wasn't regular soccer practice; he is four years old.
It was more like 10 little headless chickens on crack running after a ball while screaming like Indians who just located General Custer and we’re ready to kick some white man's booty.
In other words, it was awesome.
How awesome is it so see youth before it is corrupted by manners, self-consciousness and volume control etiquette?
They were having the time of their lives and I was so into being a dad at that moment; just watching. I was proud, happy and shucks, I may have even felt a tear (if I wasn’t so manly).
I looked around at the other dads and moms, hoping to share this moment and revel in our tremendous commitment to good parenting.
Instead, I saw something quite disturbing. And geeky as all hell.
Most of the parents weren't even watching their kids. They were staring like little minions into their Blackberrys, cell phones or whatever text messaging/e-mail mailing device they had.
I was in disbelief! They were missing a magic hour in their kid's life. What, to send to text to their friend to say, "I can't believe Jessica Simpson is dating Owen Wilson?" (yes, you heard it here first).
Well, whatever the e-messaging was, it must have been very important. I am sure they were all doctors emailing emergency prescriptions.
I felt sorry for these distracted parents. They were really missing a connection opportunity with their kid. I thought, “How in God's name did my dad watch my soccer games without a blackberry?” It must have been tough. Oh, the sacrifices he made...
Anyway, how does this relate to a having a high octane culture at work?
Listening baby.
Have you ever nodded your head at employee/fellow co-worker and really pretended well that you cared?
Well, maybe not you. But it happens.
Here is my challenge to you. LISTEN. Really Listen. FOCUS. Really focus. BE IN THAT MOMENT. Suck the juice out of that moment.
When you ask someone how their weekend was and they say "fine," demand more. Say, "No really, how was it? What did you do?" And then really listen to the answer.
Maybe you'll have a story to relate? But at the very least, you just won some respect from the person because you truly showed them that you were interested in them (Dale Carnegie 101!).
When one of my employees tells me on Friday what they're doing over the weekend and then on Monday I ask how it went, I often get a look like, "Wow, he was actually listening to me."
Bottom line - a man's attention span lasts about three seconds. A woman's is seven. So beat the odds and make yourself tune in! Be intent on connecting with that person. Be committed to being in that moment.
You'll be a better grounded person and also have a lot more fans around the office.
And may God let a cell tower fall on you if you check your Blackberry while someone is telling you about their weekend.
posted by David Mammano @ 5:30 AM
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