Days ago, I participated in a video conference with several other consulting partners across the globe on a project for a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) client. It was our second meeting, and the agenda's focus was mind-mapping per data we'd received.
Whilst the majority of us asked questions or attempted to clarify strategies to date, one individual kept jumping in with "You should do" recommendations. The first time, our host patiently and quickly explained it had been addressed, and described some of the outcomes and how they'd like to proceed. The second time, the response was similar but with a slight tinge of impatience. On the third occasion, the team member quietly disappeared from our screens.
I've addressed the art of listening on several occasions on this and my Nonprofit Hell blogs, particularly with respect to how it facilitates productive exchange and the ability to deliver useful and effective advice to clients. A well placed "Have you (already) considered...?" will go a much longer way towards engaging and garnering important feedback than continually making redundant suggestions and wasting everyone's time.
Whilst the majority of us asked questions or attempted to clarify strategies to date, one individual kept jumping in with "You should do" recommendations. The first time, our host patiently and quickly explained it had been addressed, and described some of the outcomes and how they'd like to proceed. The second time, the response was similar but with a slight tinge of impatience. On the third occasion, the team member quietly disappeared from our screens.
I've addressed the art of listening on several occasions on this and my Nonprofit Hell blogs, particularly with respect to how it facilitates productive exchange and the ability to deliver useful and effective advice to clients. A well placed "Have you (already) considered...?" will go a much longer way towards engaging and garnering important feedback than continually making redundant suggestions and wasting everyone's time.
Should you feel the urge to jump in and impress with what you consider your brilliant and unique idea, resist it unless your goal is to be zapped like a pesky mosquito.
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