Listen. Suggest. Get a Small Commitment. Follow Up.

I had a participant in a Leadership training class approach me after class to talk…she shared how overwhelmed she was feeling with life and job and going back to college..I Listened. Then, I suggested that she start the day with 15 minutes of quiet time / reflection or reading of a spiritual nature and then write down 3 things that she IS grateful for or that she knows she SHOULD be grateful for… When you start a gratitude practice you do not need to actually be grateful for anything…you will still know what to write…

I wrote her commitment to 15 minutes and 3 things on a post it note. I looked her in the eye and asked if she would really do it. She said that she would. I sent her an email 2 days later to remind her of her commitment. Then, 2 weeks later I checked in with her again.

Cheers to her, she has been doing it…and this is her feedback:

“It is going wonderful. Every day I wake up I think of 3 things to be grateful for. Then if something gets me down during the day, I think of those things. It helps keep a smile and then that makes the day better.

Thank you so much for listening to me and helping me figure out how to get back on track. You have no idea what it has meant to me.”

I share this because Leading others can be very simple…just take some time to listen, then give a small bit of practical advice, ask for a commitment, and then follow up with the person to ask “How is ________ going?”

As a Leader you can make a tremendous impact in other people’s lives and you can also bring tremendous results to your company’s bottom line with a small investment of time. Listen. Suggest. Get a Small Commitment. Follow Up.

Have a Great day!!!