Now that we have made the decision to change, to really take a serious look at our self, it can get lonely. It is imperative that we focus all of our attention in the beginning, not on how to direct others, but rather directly at our own self. We are all filled with flaws. These flaws lead us into destructive behavior. Why is it that we just can not seem to get along with others? Why doesn't anyone listen to what we have to say? We may very well isolate our own self from others through our words, our tone of voice, and most importantly our body language.
Think about it. Have you ever stopped listening to someone when you heard 'that' tone of voice? You didn't even hear the words. The tone all by itself said everything that you needed to hear.
How about body language? Think of a time when someone you were speaking with was wearing a 'stern' look. How closely were you really listening? Did you really need to listen to get the point? I submit to you that the 'stern' look did all of the talking. You did not need to listen to the words. What if the words didn't match the look? What would you walk away thinking? I guarantee that we would weigh the look much higher than the words. We might even think that the person was full of it. They clearly didn't mean what they just said. And we would announce this to the whole world.
I challenge all of us to pay particularly close attention to the tone of voice and the body language of those around us over the next few days. I think this exercise is a good initial step on our leadership journey. It may be lonely as the title of this article implies. However, others do not need to know that we are on this journey, yet. Observe closely the conversations around you. I bet you could discover how a group is generally feeling based on watching the body language alone.
I firmly believe that by observing those around us that we will catch glimpses of our own self. Perhaps we may even catch our self in the act of confusing others with body language and tone of voice that do not match our intended message. How can we realistically lead others if we fail to control the very thing over which we hold the most control - our own self?
Have you ever hurt someone without knowing?
Copyright © Robert Clinton Chedester 2012
Think about it. Have you ever stopped listening to someone when you heard 'that' tone of voice? You didn't even hear the words. The tone all by itself said everything that you needed to hear.
How about body language? Think of a time when someone you were speaking with was wearing a 'stern' look. How closely were you really listening? Did you really need to listen to get the point? I submit to you that the 'stern' look did all of the talking. You did not need to listen to the words. What if the words didn't match the look? What would you walk away thinking? I guarantee that we would weigh the look much higher than the words. We might even think that the person was full of it. They clearly didn't mean what they just said. And we would announce this to the whole world.
I challenge all of us to pay particularly close attention to the tone of voice and the body language of those around us over the next few days. I think this exercise is a good initial step on our leadership journey. It may be lonely as the title of this article implies. However, others do not need to know that we are on this journey, yet. Observe closely the conversations around you. I bet you could discover how a group is generally feeling based on watching the body language alone.
I firmly believe that by observing those around us that we will catch glimpses of our own self. Perhaps we may even catch our self in the act of confusing others with body language and tone of voice that do not match our intended message. How can we realistically lead others if we fail to control the very thing over which we hold the most control - our own self?
Have you ever hurt someone without knowing?
Copyright © Robert Clinton Chedester 2012