Ten Ways to Improve Your Connection Skills:
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, weak connection skills hold many managers back from becoming effective leaders. They base this on a recent book written by Michael Lee Stallard. I thought I would share with you these ten tips to facilitate connection adapted from Stallard’s new book:
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1. Recognize varying connection needs. Learn about the people you lead and be flexible in how you build connection with them.
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2. Be present in conversation. Give people and the topic your full attention.
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3. Develop the ability to empathize. When someone expresses an emotion, it’s OK for you to feel it too.
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4. Develop the habit of emphasizing positives. Look for ways to acknowledge excellence in the work — and in the way people go about their work.
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5. Control your tone of voice. People react to the delivery of your message before they hear its content.
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6. Negotiate with the mindset to solve a problem rather than to win. A competitive mindset can lead to disconnection and distrust.
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7. Provide autonomy in execution. Don’t micromanage, but monitor progress and be available.
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8. Learn and apply the five languages of appreciation. People respond to different types of recognition. Gary Chapman and Paul White’s book, The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, is a great guide.
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9. Apologize when you make a mistake. Own up, tell people you’re sorry.
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10. Develop social skills and relationship skills, and recognize the difference between them. Social skills are important for casual interactions, but relationship skills create deeper connections with fewer people.
SM
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