Premature Articulation is a common problem. Putting your mouth into action before putting your brain into gear is the cause. The effect of such a problem can have far-reaching consequences, particularly in the workplace.
What can you do to ensure that you don’t suffer from this affliction?
Ask anyone about what makes a good leader and they are sure to put the ability to communicate high on the list of necessary skills. Yet all too often communication is simply seen as the ability to speak.
Listening – actively is an incredibly powerful tool at times rather neglected.
I started working with “John” who said, “I feel really frustrated. I often suggest ideas at meetings but others get the credit! I am really keen to get a promotion and want to impress”
John was keen to do well. He wanted his superiors to recognize his potential and felt it was important to come up with the goods. At meetings, John always tried to get in first. He was quick to speak, often cutting across others and interrupting.
By doing so there were a number of consequences quite different from his original intention:
Bosses lost their train of thought; they found the interruptions irritating.
John concentrated far more on what he was going to say rather than internalizing what was being said by others. His contributions were not focused on the matter at hand or were shallow because he had not taken the time to analyze what had been said
Thoughts were articulated before they were completely formulated. Others picked up on the idea, thought them through logically, and re-articulated them as their own, gaining lots of brownie points with the bosses
The problem was premature articulation, a very common problem. The solution is easy to identify but requires practice regularly if the new behavior is to become second nature.
Together we considered how to manage the problem.
I asked John to consciously decide to act differently at the next meeting.
To remain quiet, listen carefully, and contribute only when their opinion was asked for.
Planned strategies for listening, ordering thoughts, and recording ideas were implemented.
It was agreed that ideas were to be offered after enough thought had taken place to ensure they were logically ordered and listened to.
The result was amazing. John felt more in control and was ready with positive, well-thought-out contributions that were accredited to him.
John found the situation in meetings was less stressful and frantic as the pressure to perform was lessened. Listening attentively, and taking time to get his thoughts together before offering a contribution has taken a bit of effort but is well worthwhile.
Feedback from John’s boss has been extremely positive.