Motivation Shots from The Doc

How do you feel about speaking to your staff on a personal basis? There’s no doubt that many managers don’t feel comfortable speaking to their team members unless it’s about business.

When I had a ‘proper job’ I worked for many managers who knew nothing or very little about me on a personal basis; resultantly, we didn’t have good rapport.

Perhaps you feel a bit uneasy speaking to your team on a human level. However, your success as a manager is highly dependent on your ability to listen and speak with your people on a personal as well as a business basis.
Human beings crave attention and acceptance and they want to know you care. If your team members feel that you’re interested and care about them as individuals, then it becomes so much easier for you to achieve your goals.

Successful entrepreneurs are excellent at building rapport. When you meet them they don’t necessarily talk about themselves, they ask you questions. I’ve met several successful business people and I’m always impressed and flattered by their interest in me.

You can practise your rapport building skills any time, particularly in your personal life. In the locker room at my local health club, I notice that many of the guys don’t speak to each other. I always make a point of saying hello or passing the time of day. If they don’t want to talk then that’s

fine. However, I find they usually do and I’ve had some interesting conversations.

And forget what your mother said about never speaking to strangers – speak to them!

Speak to everyone you meet and practise your rapport building skills; taxi drivers, people in trains, aeroplanes and anywhere else you come into contact. I sometimes have to push myself to do it but I’m always glad when I do.

Speak to me; let me know your comments!

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Tags: Communication, Leadership, Management, Motivation, Rapport, Success
Posted in: Leadership, Management, Motivation