Words of Wisdom from Managers Past - Part II

Back in 2016 I shared an article about the lessons I had learned or words of wisdom imparted to me by some of my former managers. At the time I was changing roles and institutions and reflecting on the support and advice I had been provided, highlighting the guidance of three managers at the time. This included never starting a sentence without knowing how it is going to finish, being mindful that every individual has a key role to play in the success of an organisation, and thirdly, recruiting for 'hunger.'

Fast forward six years and since that time I have had the fortune of working for, and alongside, several more inspiring managers, who have generously shared their own words of wisdom either directly or through their own managerial style.

Here are the three that have most stood out during this time:?

Make Every Word Count?

It might sound a little crazy to some, but I get great joy from writing. It's a skill I have refined over many years working in higher education through plenty of trial and error but also courtesy of the guidance I received from a former manager who stressed the importance of brevity, clarity and making every word count. His advice – use words sparingly, delete needless repetition (words that add no or little value) and to know your audience, being clear on the call to action or message you need to convey. His mantra that rings in my head to this day – the more economically you use language, the more powerful your message.??

Be Comfortable in Silence??

I can distinctly remember sitting in meetings with this manager who was extremely adept at conveying a point simply through silence or a simple pause. Sounds strange right…saying something without saying something? They used the technique during particularly difficult conversations in response to someone grandstanding or doing their best to hijack a meeting. They would let the person speak/rant/dictate, and then simply provide the pause, before moving on to another point or topic. By letting the room fall into silence, even if only for a moment, not only did it deescalate the situation, providing redirection, but it also enabled a ‘mini moment’ of self-reflection for the person dominating the space. Having witnessed its impact, it was a masterclass in understanding that you do not always have to be the loudest person in the room, and you certainly do not have to raise your voice in response. Better still, as this article from Forbes highlights, being comfortable with silence also has far more positive benefits, including increased concentration, creativity, heightened self-awareness, productivity, and patience. ?

Take Time to Follow Up?

There’s little doubt that giving and receiving compliments – where due – play a significant role in building and maintaining relationships. It is a powerful way of showing someone we appreciate the work they have undertaken or the role they have performed, and we cannot help but feel a sense of satisfaction and pride when we are on the receiving end. Whilst such recognition can often be unintentionally withheld until mentioned as part of performance reviews, one of my managers demonstrated the incredible impact of following-up and providing an authentic compliment in the moment. Sometimes it is a conversation over the phone, other times an SMS or an email, and on other occasions recognition in front of colleagues, but their effort to acknowledge the specifics of something done well provides powerful inspiration and a renewed commitment to the work at hand.?

What advice or other words of wisdom shared my managers past or present would you add to the list???