The Blindingly Obvious

One of my friends says that consultants simply listen to what their clients say and recommend the blindingly obvious thing to do to solve their problems.  That’s a bit of an over-simplification, but what good consultants do – and what good owners, leaders, and managers should do – is to listen more and talk less.

I have found that a client will often solve his or her own problem by simply talking it through while I just listen or ask a question or two to help guide them.  People in management often dodge issues to force staff members to solve their own problems, but that isn’t always the best way to handle things.  If you’re in management, your job is to help lead people to the answers without dictating or abstaining from involvement.

The result is often amazement as how smart or wise the consultant or owner or manager is when problems are solved in quick order.  But the real skill lies in listening without interrupting, and in not trying to interpret before hearing all the facts.  The facts are revealed with good questions.  Once everything is out in the open, decisions can be made rather easily.

Many people have to talk through their issues as part of their cognitive process.  So if you’re trying to help them, be patient, listen intently, ask clarifying questions, and watch how easily solutions unfold.  You’ll be amazed at how often people solve their own problems based on what’s blindingly obvious.  And those you help will come to know you as a wise counsel, and maybe even a great problem solver when you said almost nothing.
Here are a few Business & Life Tips to think about….

Business Tips:

• The best evidence of good leadership in a firm is how people act and what they say when the leader is away. Have someone take the time to watch and listen.
• Business owners and managers hire consultants to help clarify their thinking on matters of importance. Get help if you need it.
• Where there is no vision, there is no hope. Vision motivates us to do great things. Ask yourself this simple question: do I have vision?

Life Tips:

• Regarding worry, ask yourself if worrying helps to solve the problem. It doesn’t. Only you do. So stop worrying and start doing.
• We tend to act, react, and make decisions based on emotions. We later try to validate those actions and decisions with logic.
• Here are your choices when things go wrong: you can let it get to you or you can decide to grow from it. Why not choose wisely?

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