Strong leaders understand that they have the right to press the pause button on any discussion at any time.
In fact that’s everyone’s prerogative not just a leader’s.
If the leader’s thinking begins to get emotionally foggy to where clarity of thought is no longer possible, s/he owes no one an immediate response in any given meeting. In fact in the highest emotional situations, I have found it best to enter with legal pad in hand with the understanding that I won’t be responding in the same meeting in which I’m gathering the facts of the other person’s situation or complaint. I will come back to another meeting with my more thoughtful response at a later time.
See the poster on Effective Decision Making to help you grow in your confidence as a leader to hit the pause button more often.
Categories: Communications, Listening
Magic Club Leadership Resources 