How to Choose the Right Startup Leadership Coach
As a startup leader, you are fighting for the survival of your company while building your exec team, figuring out your role, and driving your initiatives forward. It's impossible for you to do it all well.
Can Curiosity Cure the "I'm Right" Mindset?
When you are cleaning up an issue, bring curiosity to the conversation. Ask yourself: What is the other person's perspective? How did I contribute to the issue?
The Pitfall of Assuming you Understand
For clarity, re-state what the other person has said and get his or her confirmation. Beware of assuming you know what they are saying.
A Little Encouragement Goes a Long Way
When a teammate is struggling, don't downplay the challenge. See if there is a way to authentically encourage them to move forward.
Why are your Acknowledgements falling Short?
When you give acknowledgments, add impact by being specific, identifying the challenges they overcame, explaining the impact on you, and sharing the future that is now possible.
Who defines success?
When you take on a project or assignment, identify whose expectations need to be met and create a mutual understanding of success.
When Brainstorming Backfires
When you initiate an exploratory conversation, make sure teammates understand that the conversation is for gathering information, not decision making.
Have you Robbed your Team Lately?
Speak up and share your ideas—even if you are uncomfortable. Invite people to brainstorm with you.
Escape the Yes/No trap
When you are feeling trapped by a request and the only answer seems to be yes or no, consider creating new options and offering choices that will satisfy everyone’s needs.
How to Guarantee Disappointment And How to Avoid It
Clarify By When a task will be completed and create shared expectations to greatly reduce disappointment.
Are you Forgetting the Crucial Last Steps?
When you are completing a cleanup conversation, ensure that you agree to specific actions to deal with similar breakdowns in the future.
Gossip is an Important Clue
Don't gossip! If you find yourself badmouthing a teammate, it's your clue that it's time to clean up an outstanding issue.
Are you Agreeing by Accident?
If you hear someone else gossiping, intervene. Support the gossiper in getting grounded in facts and initiating a clean-up conversation.
It may work out, so why bring it up?
If you are concerned that you can't keep a commitment and are hoping that it will work out, don't wait and see! Let the people to whom you made the commitment know about the risks. Explain what you are doing to navigate the obstacles, explore other options, and request the support you need.
How to Be Heard In A Conversation
Want to learn how to be heard in a conversation? If you are not being heard, stop trying to prove your point and start listening. When the other person feels heard, they'll be ready to hear what you want to say.
Does Blame Work?
Rather than assigning blame, focus on how to avoid the problem in the future. Ask how you may have participated in the breakdown.
When Arguing, Find The Common Ground
Rather than arguing about your opinion, listen and refocus on the big picture—where do you have common ground and where do you differ? Define a process to explore the difference together.
When There is No Clear Answer, Find the Next Step
When bogged down with a different decision, keep the momentum going by taking the next step, even if you don't know what the final answer or solution will be.
If You Are Not Being Heard…
If you are not being heard, stop trying to prove your point and start listening. When the other person feels heard, they'll be ready to hear what you want to say.
A CEO’s advice: Assume Positive Intent
Give people the benefit of the doubt. Assume that they had positive intentions, identify the situational details, and get the bigger picture.