Have you ever wondered how to communicate more effectively as a leader? How to motivate your team, resolve conflicts, and foster innovation? If so, you’re not alone.
Loads of leaders grapple with nailing that sweet spot – the right words, the perfect tone to vibe with their team and hit those goals. But fear not, there’s a straightforward phrase that can seriously level up your leadership game: “Tell me more.
Forget the surface – “Tell me more” isn’t just words. It’s a whole vibe of curiosity, empathy, and really tuning in.
In this blog post, we’re diving into why this phrase is the secret sauce for leaders and how tossing it into your leadership mix can whip up some serious benefits.
Why “Tell me more” works
According to a study by Harvard Business Review, leaders who use “Tell me more” are more likely to create a positive and trusting relationship with their team members.
Why does it work? Saying “Tell me more” is like a friendly signal that shouts, “I’m genuinely interested in what you have to say, and I’m all ears to learn from you.” It sets the stage for trust and openness.
What’s more, it acts like a subtle charm, coaxing out extra details, insights, and fantastic ideas from your team. You know, the kind of stuff that can turn good outcomes into downright awesome ones.
How to use “Tell me more” effectively
Just throwing out a “Tell me more” isn’t the whole recipe, you have to follow it up with some active listening and empathy. Active listening is like tuning in without interrupting, judging, or jumping to conclusions while your team spills the beans.
Now, empathy is the secret sauce. It’s all about stepping into their shoes and getting what they’re feeling and needing.
Combine the magic trio – “Tell me more,” active listening, and empathy – and bam! You’re cooking up a real-deal connection with your team. Trust, respect, and teamwork start flowing naturally.
Here are some examples of how to use “Tell me more” in a leadership setting:
- During Team Meetings:
- Team Member: “I think we should explore a different approach to the upcoming project.”
- Leader: “Interesting. Tell me more about the approach you have in mind and how you think it could benefit the project.”
- Feedback and Performance Discussions:
- Team Member: “I struggled with meeting the tight deadline for the last assignment.”
- Leader: “I appreciate your honesty. Can you tell me more about the challenges you faced? I want to understand how we can support you better in the future.”
- In Problem-Solving Scenarios:
- Team Member: “We encountered unexpected issues with the new software implementation.”
- Leader: “I see. Tell me more about the specific challenges you encountered. Let’s work together to find a solution.”
- Employee Development Conversations:
- Team Member: “I’m interested in taking on more responsibilities.”
- Leader: “That’s great to hear. Tell me more about the areas you’d like to explore, and we can discuss how to align your goals with the team’s objectives.”
- Conflict Resolution:
- Team Member A: “There’s tension between team members in our project group.”
- Leader: “I appreciate you bringing this up. Can you tell me more about the issues at hand? Let’s work together to find a resolution and ensure a healthy team dynamic.”
- Innovation and Idea Generation:
- Team Member: “I have an idea for a new product feature that could enhance user experience.”
- Leader: “I’m intrigued. Tell me more about the specifics of your idea and how you envision it benefiting our users.”
- Building Relationships:
- Team Member: “I’ve been facing personal challenges lately.”
- Leader: “I’m here to support you. Tell me more about what you’re going through, and let’s discuss how we can make your work environment more manageable during this time.”
As you can see, “Tell me more” is a powerful phrase that can transform your leadership communication.
It shows that you care, that you listen, and that you value your team members’ input and feedback. It also opens up new possibilities for learning, collaboration, and innovation.
So next time you’re in a leadership situation, try using “Tell me more” and see what happens. You might be surprised by the results!
For more tips on how to be a better leader, please visit my FREE resources page here: https://sheshatters.com/freebies/
Cheers,
Hannah
Leadership Advocate & Communication Enthusiast Empowering Teams, One “Tell Me More” at a Time
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