For the remainder of the year, my blog posts will focus on the use of effective language in the workplace, specifically when considering topics such as empowerment and influence.
Before I delve into the more granular details involved in these practices, I want to back up a little bit and ask the bigger question….
Why do these things matter?
There are probably many responses to this question, so I’m going to focus on one….
ALIGNMENT!
At the end of the day, alignment, both internal and external, is what enables people to have clarity and take action.
Let’s work under the premise that individuals need to find alignment within themselves before they’re able to support others….
With this being said, I want to focus on how to effectively align a team.
Like anything that’s worth it, putting the proper pieces in place to align a team takes persistence, patience and practice.
The good news is that there’s a proven formula that you can utilize and count on time and time again…
It’s the same formula that we use to train teams and companies with our integrative leadership group coaching program called The Art Of Masterful Communication.
SHARE:
Sharing authentic and vulnerable stories is what allows people to get to know one another.
For example, if you told me that you fell off of a swing when you were 5 years old and have a scar on your forehead because of it, I’ll remember this and most likely feel connected to you due to my own personal childhood traumas.
These types of personal stories have impact and create connection.
CONNECT:
If I responded to your story by sharing my own story, it could sound something like this, “I remember falling off of my bike and getting rushed to the hospital to get stitches”.
This is where the true connection gets established between us.
We both shared personal stories and deepened our connection with another. Because of this, we’ve built trust with one another.
TRUST:
If you lead with vulnerability, vulnerability follows.
The story of you falling off the swing as a child was a sign of your vulnerability and an invitation for me to be vulnerable as well.
Trust is built off of the mutual exchange of vulnerabilities between individuals, or members of a group.
MOST COMPANIES AND TEAMS NEVER BUILD TRUST BECAUSE THEY DON’T TAKE THE TIME TO SHARE AND CONNECT.
CONFLICT:
Conflict is inevitable.
Even though conflict tends to immediately conjure up negative thoughts and emotions, it doesn’t have to be this way.
Conflict can be an incredible catalyst for growth and prosperity; however, the ONLY way to have supportive and healthy conflict, people must develop trust with one another.
If you’re able to effectively work with conflict, you have a much better chance to being aligned and achieving the results you desire.
ALIGNMENT:
The definition of alignment that seems to fit best is: an arrangement of groups or forces in relation to one another.
And, when I speak of alignment, I’m referring to alignment on all levels: physical, emotional and spiritual, if possible.
If you’ve felt aligned as part of team before then you’ll understand what I’m referring too.
It’s a powerful force that can have a huge impact on the health of a culture and bottom line of a business.
Moving companies towards alignment is one of the primary intentions of our Art of Masterful Communication program. Check it out.
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions, OR, if you have any additional thoughts on alignment, please let me know.
