Water Cooler Talk
Or: Be a manager and stop the idle chit chat (382 words)
By John Locke
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John Locke
Professional Speaker and Trainer
John has been in training and speaking since the early 70s,
He has worked in industry, construction and commerce and
is recognized as an expert in interpersonal communication.
www.AnEnglishmanAbroad.com
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The water cooler, or the coffee pot, is the place to be in any organization if you want information. This is where all that ails any company is put right, all the answers are here, all problems solved; along with any comments about who is wearing what and how Molly is doing with her diet.
If managers could only be a fly on the wall on these occasions they would learn a lot, good and bad, most of it idle chit chat, but a few little gems to help them in their work. In my travels I find it interesting how many managers have no idea that their team members talk about them on such occasions. Take it from me ladies and gentlemen they do.
The first thing you have to realize is that they talk about you, the manager and how well you do. Did you know how easy your job is?
The negative talk in these situations can be reduced almost completely if there is what I call “Professional Candor” within the team. By professional candor, I mean managers actively encouraging team members to express their views, ideas and observations without rancor. Hence the word professional, it takes courage and a lot of trust from within the team, but it can be done.
Done incorrectly, you will have half the team training in mixed marshal arts before meetings. Done correctly, your meetings will be exciting, productive affairs that team members look forward to.
As a manager and leader you must be willing to accept candor from your team and show you expect it and that there are no recriminations for speaking out. This candor has also to be accepted between team members and when they find out that their work becomes more efficient and less stressful because someone else can see a better way, they will want to take part.
Meetings involving candor should be constructive, not destructive and as the leader you should ensure this. It will take a lot of work, but it is at this point you have to ask yourself, am I a manager, or someone who comes to work just to get to my pension?
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Copyright© by John Locke, An Englishman Abroad.
This article maybe be reproduced without permission as long as full author credit and photo is included.
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