360 Reflections

Let's keep discussing this.  Use this space to share further reflections on your 360.  Did you share it with anyone?  What happened?  What do you think now, 24 hours+ after receiving the feedback?  Remember, everything we do, read about etc is intended to help you understand more about your self and where your opportunities to grow are in a way that is commensurate what your organization asking of you.

Your PLP's

Okay, I hope you are still thinking about your Personal Leadership Philosophy and what it contains.  It should be coming into clearer view for you.  Use this space to share what is in yours and why.  The next step with the PLP is to go share it with someone and get feedback.  If you feel like yours is ready for prime time then go talk to others about it and get some feedback.  You can share the stories here. 

Advice on your 360

I asked the Administrator group, after they had some time to go over their 360 results, what they thought would be helpful for you to know.  Here are two items from them to you...

1. Definately keep an open mind when reviewing your 360's. Initially, I had a different view of my assessments. I sat down alone and in a quiet area and went over them again. I understand now the importance of the feedback. It actually turned out to be a wonderful tool for learning.
2. It is important to ask questions regarding their results.
   
   For instance, I sat down with my Boss and went over how she saw me. It was enlightening to see her thought process. It was also quite helpful especially when looking at my professional development now and into the future.

If you aren't a little excited and nervous about this then you are not engaged enough.  I am looking forward to our session next week.

Charisma: Seven Keys to Developing the Magnetism that Leads to Success

Has anyone heard of and/or read this book by Tony Alessandra, Ph.D.? It looks like the book has received some fairly good reviews, but wanted to know if any of you read this.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446675989?ie=UTF8&tag=pfco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0446675989

Moving from "know how" to "do now"

On page 163 of _Everyone Communicates, Few Connect_, Maxwell discusses the communication style of his inherited COO who was a career navy man. His COO subscribed to the armed services perspective on communication:

1^st Draft: A word to the wise is sufficient

2^nd Draft: A word to the wise may be sufficient.

3^rd Draft: It is believed that a word to the wise may be sufficient

…

5^th Draft: Indications are that is believed by some that a word to the wise may be sufficient under some conditions…

I often fall into this trap in my writing.

The elusive skill of really listening

Reading chapter 6 on Common Ground I came across this line and I loved it.  Page 133, "Listening requires giving up our favorite human pastime-involvement in ourelves and our own self-interest."  I think it is really hard to suspend your agenda, your thoughts, your response and sit and listen to what someone is saying.  It's partly the way our brains work, because our ability to process language is so much higher than what a typical person can speak.  So the brain gets bored and begins to multi-task.  And then you begin to listen but not so you can understand.  By now you are listening for the gap in the conversation, so you can respond.  It's no wonder that there are so many miscommunications and incorrect translations.  Add in your experience and expertise and it's harder still not to want to talk.  It takes a vigilant effort to keep this in check.  But is so critical.  If you can think of a time when you really felt someone was listening to you.  How did it make you feel?  I think this is the simplest (not easiest) most underrated way to connect with people.  Your thoughts?