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Communication

Two Ears and One Mouth: There Is a Reason!

Two Ears and One Mouth: There Is a Reason!

Quint Studer
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You have likely heard the statement that we have two ears and one mouth for a reason: to spend twice as much time listening as we spend talking. It is true. Many of us could stand to become better listeners. Research tells us listening is a skill with positive outcomes for both the talker and the listener. For example, good listening: Improves relationships by making interactions more meaningful. Builds trust. Good listeners are perceived as more…
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Be a “Get To” Person

Be a “Get To” Person

Quint Studer
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As Thanksgiving approaches, we think about gratitude. I find that our level of gratefulness shows up in the words we choose. I get to be with people on a regular basis, as organizations ask me to speak at events. I always individualize the content to the organization. One size never fits all. Yet there is one common theme I do find applies to every group. I always ask, “When you are getting ready to take…
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Leaders Need Appreciation Too. (It’s Not “Sucking Up”!)

Leaders Need Appreciation Too. (It’s Not “Sucking Up”!)

Quint Studer
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When the person you report to sees you coming toward them, is their thought, Here comes some good news! or, Here comes a solution! Or is their emotion more like, What now? In my talks, I often cite the opposite scenario: what employees think when a supervisor contacts them. Some examples of this are below. But keep reading to see what happens when the message is reversed. A question I ask groups is, “When you receive…
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There Is Great Power in the Word FAMILY

There Is Great Power in the Word FAMILY

Quint Studer
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In facilitating many groups, we do a table activity. We ask each person to share with the others why they stay working in their organization. Having now facilitated this a thousand times, the word I hear most often—in fact, almost always—is family. “My coworkers are like my family.” “I spend more waking hours with my coworkers than my family.” “When my mother was sick, my coworkers held me together.” “When my son died in an accident,…
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Why We (Unintentionally) Withhold Information—and How to Start Sharing It

Quint Studer
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Lately I’ve been writing and speaking a lot about trust. One of the foundation stones of building a culture of trust is information sharing. It’s so important that leaders share information, not just with our own department but across the organization. It breaks down silos, prevents mistakes and duplication of work, and lays the groundwork for good decision making. And, as I will share later, there are lots of other benefits too. But first, let’s…
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Pointing Out Problems Is Good; Bringing Solutions Is Great

Pointing Out Problems Is Good; Bringing Solutions Is Great

Quint Studer
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Some time back, I wrote, “When a person identifies a problem, they have a human responsibility to also help with a solution.” Are there times when it’s enough to only point out a problem? Yes. One example is when you see a situation that could be dangerous. I was at a baseball game a few weeks back, and as I walked past an area, I thought I smelled propane gas. I quickly found someone who…
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Asking versus telling builds trust.

Asking versus telling builds trust.

Quint Studer
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Looking to spark a trust-building conversation with someone you lead? Start with a question. Asking (not telling) builds rapport, fosters psychological safety, and makes people feel heard and valued. It’s a great way to show them you care about their thoughts and ideas. In the book I wrote in collaboration with Dr. Katherine Meese–The Human Margin: Building the Foundations of Trust—we share a list of trust-building questions leaders can ask during rounding and at other…
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Feedback Is an Opportunity (Not a Reason for Fear)

Quint Studer
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We are all students. I love the statement, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” Being “ready” in this context means being self-aware and coachable. As I was researching The Busy Leader’s Handbook: How to Lead People and Places That Thrive, I interviewed Harry Gruner. Harry is the managing partner of JMI, a growth equity firm. He shared that each year they are approached by and look at hundreds of companies seeking investment. They then…
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You said it - but did they hear it? 3 musts for high-trust messaging

You said it—but did they hear it? 3 musts for high-trust messaging

Quint Studer
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I was fortunate to get to collaborate with Dr. Katherine A. Meese, Ph.D on a book that shares research on why trust is front and center in today’s workplace. (If you’re interested it’s called The Human Margin: Building the Foundations of Trust.) One of its main points is that the better leaders are at communication, the more employees will trust them. Over the years I’ve learned that even when we think we’ve communicated a message,…
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Don’t Be Afraid to Tell on Yourself

Don’t Be Afraid to Tell on Yourself

Quint Studer
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I was sitting in a meeting with people in recovery from alcoholism, and a lady shared that she was new to sobriety and was struggling with wanting to drink. She laid out how she felt in an open way. A bit later, a person with over 35 years in recovery shared that since the death of his son, he has become very cynical about life and recovery. He said that he is making a recommitment…
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