Yup, that’s my expression when I watch a leader launch into their 5-point plan before the team’s even had a chance to settle into their seats. We’ve all seen it (or let’s be honest, done it). And sure, we leaders like to think we’ve got it all figured out, but here’s the hard truth: talking first and listening later? Not exactly a winning strategy.
Hear me out... if you’re always the first one talking, you might actually be missing something.
Three quick tips that we as leaders can use to pump the brakes:
► 𝗛𝗶𝘁 𝗠𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘂𝘀. That little voice saying, “Wow, this idea is gold”? Yeah, it can wait. Your team probably has some gems too—maybe even a full diamond mine.
► 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗔𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁. Before diving in, do a little eye contact check. If your team looks like they’re bracing for impact, it might be a good time to pull back. Let them speak – you might find they’re a lot smarter than you thought. (Kidding. Sort of.)
► 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁. This one’s a real game-changer. Holding off shows respect and builds trust. Plus, you get to soak in all the insights before you add your own spin—like the cherry on top of a well-crafted sundae.
The next time you feel the urge to go full CEO-mode out of the gate, remember: sometimes the most impressive leaders are the ones who can wait their turn.