Listener vs Reader vs ??

Peter Drucker once wrote that managers fall into two communication categories: listeners and readers.

Listeners prefer to hear about and talk about problems, issues  and decisions. Once they've done their verbal processing, they're ready to commit to paper.

Readers prefer to read about the problems, issues and decisions first, before talking about them. When they've had sufficient time to consider pros/cons, then they are ready to talk about it.

This has held true with me, and it's been a good truism to be aware of. I once had a staff of six people and all but one fell into the “listener” paradigm. I'm a reader. When they popped up in my doorway, wanting to talk about complex issues, I was quickly overwhelmed. Once I explained these ideas to them, and described my ideal problem solving scenario, all  of our frustrations dropped off dramatically. This isn't to say that I demanded only written reports–far from it. Some stuff can certainly be discussed and solved on the fly. But just knowing about our own proclivities was tremendously helpful.

I'm wondering whether there are other, similar tensions that I can be mindful of? I'm thinking of things like emotional intelligence, etc, though  I don't know much about that stuff. Are there other quick, relatively easy and highly effective strategies like the listener/reader paradigm that you've found helpful? 

Re: Listener vs Reader vs ??

Bren -

You are addressing a powerful reason why  some managers succeed and some succeed less.. Do successful managers need to be 'people' persons? No…but with some simple protocols..you can help those seeking your response/input/feedback feel responded to, heard, etc. with some AI (appreciative inquiry) devices which can feel like EQ (emotional quotient) qualia.

You noted 'Once I explained these ideas to them, and described my ideal problem solving scenario, all  of our frustrations dropped off dramatically.'..is a case in point.

Easily applied strategies.. are often just plain common courtesy and common sense applied… If the timing is wrong and the overwhelm is great, create a boundaried contract that sounds like..'Id like to speak about this, when is a good time for you…?' type of thing…it translates to managing hot topics, pressing issues in a way that everyone can find mutually agreeable language to diffuse impatient reactions above well considered responses..

Re: Listener vs Reader vs ??

Good notes. That's pretty much been my historical approach as a manager. I *really* try to do more listening than talking and I'm a fan of AI, so I try to integrate those types of questions into my approach, with an awareness of the current “vibe”. I'll abandon, if needed, and come back at a more opportune time. That said, I frequently fall off the wagon (as consolation, I tell myself that everyone does), but always begin again.

This has always worked well for me, so I'm glad to hear that I'm on the right track at least. Still keeping an eye out for more tricks and techniques…

Re: Listener vs Reader vs ??

Bren -

I bought myself Drucker 365 (just before he died..) and managed to read a page a day (the object of the exercise) to get some of his wisdom imbibed.

Tricks'n tips is a dodgy strategy. Whilst a manager can't be the 'buddy' to a staff member, bringing a degree of authenticity to daily proceedings goes a long way to espousing loyalty, something that bodes well in downtimes. As the old saying goes 'Be nice to people on the way up, you may need them on the way down' and such considerations. No one respects a manager that throws their weight around, acts like a manager, shuffles off responsibilities, doesn't appreciate work well executed, doesn't give good feedback when things go pear shaped and who, basically, behaves fairly humanely. I can't stand be on the receiving end of ' Management strategy'.

What happens when you fall off the wagon?

Re: Listener vs Reader vs ??

It does annoy me when I can amend or delete a post.. suffice to say there is a word missing from that post.. which is that staff DO respect a manager who treats them humanely..

Re: Listener vs Reader vs ??

When I can't amend… jeez….

Re: Listener vs Reader vs ??

Yeah, I hear you about the tricks/tips being a dodgy strategy. For me, though, it's the genesis of habit. I start with the little things that help me do what I should be doing, and eventually a habit appears. 

I know when I've fallen off the wagon when I respond too quickly (and without much more than a kneejerk response) to email. This RARELY happens in a face to face conversation, but I find myself occasionally replying too quickly to some emails. The resulting backlash is the dirt hitting me on the face after I've fallen off the wagon.

My trick for preventing this? Knowing when an email “triggered” me and sending the hasty note to myself. Or just writing the note in a text editor and never sending it at all. Both make me feel inexplicably better, and without the nasty aftertaste. :-)