Let’s face it, phrases like “Everyone has a story” and “Everyone has a valuable perspective” have been tossed around so much that they may feel like clichés. The truth is, they are powerful tools, guiding principles really, for leaders – we just need to breathe real life back into them.

Working with leaders and teams over the years, I’ve seen how some just can’t figure out how to put these two guiding principles into action other than just saying them out loud. They think that saying them when they are starting a meeting might be enough, only to learn it really isn’t. However, those teams and leaders that do figure it out – really hit a stride that is unstoppable. They become the team everyone wants to be part of, or the leader is highly respected where loyalty and camaraderie abound. Here’s a simple, practical two-step process to make these sayings a meaningful part of your team and bring about a winning team, by design.

Step 1: Listen with Intent

Listening isn’t just a passive activity; it’s an art. When someone shares their story or perspective, don’t just nod along. Pay attention to the nuances, the emotions, and the reasons behind their words. This isn’t about making people feel like they’ve been heard; it’s about genuinely understanding their narratives and insights.

To actually learn from others is a lot like piecing together clues to form a complete picture. Ask open-ended questions to dig deeper into their experiences so make sure you understand the fullness of their insights. “Can you tell me more about that?” or “What led you to that conclusion?” are great starters and fantastic ways to really learn from others. The goal is to uncover the underlying factors that shape their viewpoints. This extra input makes any of us stronger when it comes time to make the decisions we make as leaders.

Step 2: Value and Act on Insights

Once you’ve heard insights from those around you, show that you value them – that you have learned something. This is where many leaders stumble; they listen but fail to include perspectives other than their own. The trick is to use the information you’ve gathered to inform your decisions, strategies, and interactions, and make sure those around you can see where they contributed.

For instance, if a team member shares a story about a past project that failed due to lack of communication, probe deeper to make sure you learn where it fell down, from their perspective, and then take that insight and improve your communication channels. If someone offers a fresh perspective on how to approach a challenge, consider its merits and integrate their ideas, change your original plans and build improved plans because of them.

Remember, valuing insights isn’t just about nodding in agreement or acting you like you heard them. It’s about taking concrete actions that reflect the learnings from those stories and perspectives. It’s about making changes, even if they are small, to show that you’re not just listening—you’re actively incorporating their valuable input.

It’s important

These are powerful tools – not clichés.

No matter where we are in the team structure, the next time we hear “Everyone has a story” or “Everyone has a valuable perspective,” let’s not roll our eyes. Instead, let’s see them as opportunities to deepen our understanding and strengthen our leadership, our team and whatever it is we are solving for in our daily work. After all, it’s these stories and perspectives that can truly drive innovation and success.

And hey, if nothing else, at least we’ll have some interesting stories to share at the next team meeting!

As a quick reminder – Mental Health Awareness month is May, right around the corner. This is a great time to hone these skills and make them part of your thriving team all year long!

My best to you – Dom