What are the best ways to understand others in leadership roles?

In my opinion, as a Leader, the best way to understand others is too look back in your career journey and see others the way you have been seen. By doing that, you would be able to avoid the mistakes done unto you and enable you empathize appropriately as per the current circumstances. Leadership is not Black n White but more often is working through the Grey areas. In order to help others, one has to be objective and subjective as deemed necessary. Also, understanding others is not a one time thing but a series of mini things that shape the journey and eventually maps out the pathway for others.

Focus on the intent and purpose of the conversation. Active listening begins with an intent to be conscious and receptive to the other person including the intent and purpose of the conversation in order to truly understand and empathize with them. Incorporating mindfulness into active listening means that the speaker has your full attention. Being mindful generally means being respectful and aware of the present moment. No daydreaming, no interrupting, and no thinking about what you're going to say in response. Instead, take in the content and purpose of their words and body language. That way, you and the speaker build an authentic connection.

Stephen Covey notes, "Seek to understand before being understood.". This quote is the key to being an effective leader in any field. Sometimes that means deferring and being the 3rd or 4th person to speak in a group interaction. By constantly collecting information on those you are leading you can develop a recipe for success for those around you. Agreement is not a mandatory aspect of effective leadership, but an understanding person will accelerate their team's goals and vision at the speed of light.

As an effective leader we need to value the art of listening. Listen with a heart of understanding that the other person feels you hear, feel and care. This will definitely help them to open up without any feeling of being judged or misunderstood because you pay attention and focus to their needs.

Let’s put it simply like this “Listen to understand, not just to respond” As SUN TZU mentioned in his book “The Art Of War” : Every leader should always have a power of adaptability throughout 3 points: - Be flexible and adapt to change - Stay open-minded and innovative - Learn from mistakes All these points will not be applicable with out genuine “ Listening “

Over the years I have realised that non verbal cues are the best way to understand the people around you. We need to pay attention to various aspects of body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, as it speaks volumes without saying a single word. However no single non-verbal cue can tell the whole story, and cultural differences can affect interpretation. It’s essential to observe and interpret these cues in context and over time to build a more accurate understanding of others.

One thing that I found most important is to understand other people's emotions, and feelings rather than speaking or dwelling on oneself. and allow them to express their thoughts. In this way, team members feel rewarded as well as recognized.

“Birds of a feather flock together”, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”… They all point to MIRRORING; a powerful way of building rapport & improving communication. Mirroring is essentially imitation; copying other person’s behavioural traits to comfort one another. It is saying, “hey! You and I are alike.” It creates deep trustworthy connections between people. BODY LANGUAGE: Smile for a smile, lean in when the other leans in, sustained eye contact, nod when the other person nods, match other person’s energy levels. However, it needs to be practiced with caution. Subtlety is the key here. Keep a lag of 20- 30 seconds before mirroring someone or else it might become monkey-see-monkey-do.

Observing nonverbal cues is key to comprehending leaders. Scrutinize body language, facial expressions, and gestures for insights into their feelings and attitudes. Pay attention to tone and pitch in their voice. Identify patterns in posture during various situations. Recognizing these nonverbal signals enhances understanding, allowing for nuanced leadership interactions. Leaders' unspoken expressions often convey valuable information, contributing to more effective communication and collaboration.

Nonverbal cues are quintessential to holistic communication. Learning the various mannerisms of the staff you work with can help you gain a greater insight into their feelings, particularly with introverts who may be averse to speaking up and confronting others and their ideas. Furthermore, particularly if you work with a diverse staff with international personnel, understanding the implications of certain nonverbal cues can help you develop intercultural understanding and become a better leader for your team.

An important tactic to make yourself more approachable, open to growing in your career and take challenging roles is by asking feedback on regular basis. Monthly or quarterly check-in's with your manager, skip level manager, peers, external stakeholders is vital for your career growth. Documenting feedback will help in the long run. This gives the other individual a sense of feeling that you are open to hearing good as well as improvement areas and are always willing to develop yourself further. Also, as each one of us eagerly waits for those positive feedbacks, appreciations, we should be open to receive feedback for improvement areas too, because every individual will have a yin and yan within him / her, and we are never perfect!

Seeking feedback is a powerful strategy for understanding leaders. Encourage open communication by actively soliciting input from team members and peers. Constructive criticism provides valuable insights into leadership styles and areas for improvement. Regularly gather feedback through surveys, one-on-one discussions, or anonymous channels to ensure diverse perspectives. Embrace both positive and negative feedback as opportunities for growth. This continuous feedback loop fosters a culture of understanding, enabling leaders to adapt, refine their approaches, and strengthen interpersonal connections within the leadership role.

Regular check-ins and one-on-one sessions help in understanding individual strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations, facilitating tailored support and professional growth. Additionally, acknowledging diverse experiences and cultural backgrounds fosters inclusivity, enhancing team cohesion and creativity. Regular self-reflection and openness to feedback enable leaders to continuously refine their approach, ensuring a dynamic and responsive leadership style.

In addition to 1:1 feedback, use tools like pulse surveys to get anonymous feedback. It's important to show your team that you're open to learning but some feedback is uncomfortable to share directly. An anonymous pulse survey offers an opportunity to gather feedback that you might otherwise not get in-person.

Feedback should be sought after the pretty and ugly interactions. Interactions that don't go your way should be evaluated by you, and the other party. Where was the disconnect? Did you catch them at the wrong time? Was your point misunderstood? If you want to build your interpersonal skills don't simply look to be affirmed by positive interactions, choose to learn from those interactions that are less than ideal.

Tenho feito muitas devolutivas do MBTI e sempre recomendo um equilíbrio entre as pontas dos 4 pares. Dentre eles, por exemplo, o par (T - F) de Thinkers e Feelers, o par que indica o modo como tomamos decisão. Não recomendável é um "T" tomar uma decisão "T" em um cenário "F", nem o vice-versa, um "F" tomando decisão "F" em um cenário "T" Exemplo: um líder "T" que dá um feedback corretivo em um momento que seu colaborador está com Burnout.

Leveraging personality assessments proves instrumental in grasping leaders' dynamics. Implement well-validated tools to analyze individual traits, communication styles, and decision-making approaches. These assessments provide structured insights into leaders' preferences and strengths, aiding in understanding their unique leadership perspectives. By identifying patterns and preferences, teams can adapt strategies to complement leaders' styles, fostering more effective collaboration. The nuanced understanding derived from personality assessments enhances teamwork, communication, and overall synergy within leadership roles.

When we connect with others, we are no longer thinking about what went wrong in the past or of our future worries. We are just fully available to the present moment and to the shared experience we are having with another I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles, but today it means getting along with people.

Personality assessments can be a powerful tool for leaders on a quest for self-discovery and understanding of those they lead. They serve as a mirror, reflecting our unique traits, preferences, and tendencies, which often remain hidden in the chaos of everyday life. I have personally done the MBTI, DISC and Enneagram assessments as well as the Six I's of Innovation assement. It's a great ice breaker and opportunity to bond deeper with your team and subordinates.

I am a fan of the DiSC Profile assessment. Understanding the behavioral styles of those you work with or interact with often is truly life-changing. Side note: Understanding the DiSC assessment goes beyond professional environments. It helped take my marriage to another level.

Empatia é fundamental nos relacionamentos, mas deve ser equilibrado com a assertividade. Empatia e assertividade, a primeira pode ser definida como a demonstração de compreensão das necessidades, interesses, e perspectivas da outra parte, sem necessariamente concordar com ela. A segunda representa a expressão e defesa do seu próprio ponto de vista. Mantenha o comportamento equilibrado entre as duas para você compreender as necessidades das pessoas, mas também definir limites que não devem ser ultrapassados pelos outros.

“You can only understand people if you feel them in yourself.” – John Steinbeck - Empathy is NOT "oh, this didn't go your way? At least you have this other thing working for you." Empathy is NOT balancing some scale. It is just being there in the other person's shoe without thinking that 'what if the shoe bites, at least the clothes fit well'. - A true leader leads with warmth first and competence secondly. They don't just show that they care, but put in actual concrete efforts to go above and beyond for their people. - A person in a leadership role should always ask themselves, "how would I have wanted to be treated in this situation?".

Empathy is a cornerstone for comprehending leaders. Connect on an emotional level by understanding and validating their feelings. Demonstrate genuine concern, actively listening to their challenges and successes. Put yourself in their shoes, considering the pressures and responsibilities they face. Acknowledging and empathizing with their emotions fosters trust and a deeper understanding of their motivations. This emotional intelligence enhances communication, team dynamics, and overall effectiveness in navigating leadership roles.

Empathy is the ability to understand another person's thoughts and feelings in a situation from their point of view, rather than your own. When you put yourself in others' shoes you will understand the situation better, you will respect their thoughts and feelings and you will be more empathic.🤗 You must be empathic with your customers, colleagues and subordinates. This makes your interaction stronger and your communication more clear.

Understanding the people you lead is a critical success factor for a leader. This is possible when a leader is emotionally intelligent: 1. Be empathetic 2. Be a good listener and observer 3. Should be aware of his or her own emotions and understand those emotions 4. Knows how to manage those emotions to be able to respond objectively to the emotions of the team members 5. Know the personality types of the people she leads and understand their motivations and fears 6. Be politically and culturally aware of the environment 7. Appreciate the implications of cultural and social diversity. This is critical for relationship building.

Next time you're in a meeting, flip the script. Instead of the usual agenda, say, "Hey, before we dive in, tell me about the first job you ever loved (or hated)." You'll get some laughs, maybe some eye rolls, but you'll also get the real, unfiltered insights into what makes your team members or peers tick. This is the kind of conversation that actually makes your team stronger.

Inviting others to share their personal narratives unveils profound insights into their essence, fostering trust and connection. Exploring the stories of leaders not only forges personal connections but also serves as a well of inspiration and guidance. As John C. Maxwell wisely said, "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." Their journeys often serve as eye-openers, offering invaluable lessons that align with our aspirations, potentially leading to mentorship as rapport grows, offering invaluable support in your journey.

While stories of significant life events undoubtedly provide profound insights, there's an understated power in the everyday moments. Asking informal questions like, "How was your weekend?" or "What's your take on the recent [popular event]?" can be surprisingly revealing. These seemingly casual inquiries can peel back layers, offering glimpses into an individual's worries, joys, priorities, and feelings. By delving into these daily narratives, leaders not only foster a more personal connection but also gain a holistic understanding of the people they work with. It's in these mundane moments that true emotions and priorities often shine through, unfiltered and genuine.

People will always remember how you made them feel, not what you did. It's the stories that resonate with people that will provide greater insight into who they really are, their beliefs, values, etc.

Asking about someone's backstory isn't just about making small talk or trying to pry for information about their background; it's all about making an effort to learn who they are and what led them to where they are today. ✨ You want to seek authenticity and encourage real, open, and honest communication. And to do that effectively, you have to create the space for these discussions to happen. 🙌 So, the next time you find yourself among your team, start by opening up — share a fun fact, an interesting observation, or even an embarrassing story. After all, leading by example is one of the coolest ways to lead! 🔝

Understanding others in leadership roles requires active listening, empathy, effective communication, observation, providing and seeking feedback, collaboration, building personal connections, and continuous learning. These strategies help foster mutual understanding, trust, and positive relationships, contributing to personal and organizational growth.

Leadership is bringing clarity and harmony across stakeholders to make progress efficiently and effectively. Three key focus areas are: 1. Purpose and vision: A collective vision covering all stakeholders. 2. Current state: The current state with respect to the vision. 3. Roadmap: The roadmap, tools, process, and people/roles to move from the current state to the vision. Bonus points for making the journey joyful and beneficial to all stakeholders.

Summarising: Reflect on how actively engaging with a leaders' communications aligns with your understanding of leadership. Has this interaction shifted your perspective in any way? When summarising your experience, try to encapsulate not only your observations but also the emotions they have evoked in you. This holistic approach will provide comprehensive understanding of the impact these communications have had on you. Authenticity: Apply the leadership insights you've gleaned, consider how you can do so authentically. It's crucial to integrate these learnings in a way that resonates with your unique personality, background, skills, and capabilities. Personalising your leadership approach will ensure that it is both genuine and effective.

To excel in leadership, prioritize active listening, empathy, and open communication. Foster a supportive, inclusive environment, value diverse perspectives, and lead by example to build trust. Adapt your leadership style to individual needs and commit to continuous learning.

Sea un ejemplo para los demás. Demuestre con su actitud y su comportamiento lo que espera de los demás. Sea coherente entre lo que dice y lo que hace. Sea humilde y reconozca sus limitaciones. No tema pedir ayuda cuando la necesite. Sea flexible y adaptable a los cambios y a las situaciones imprevistas. Acepte las opiniones y las sugerencias de los demás, y busque soluciones creativas e innovadoras a los problemas. Aprenda de los errores y mejore continuamente. Comunique claramente su visión, sus objetivos, sus expectativas y sus responsabilidades. Explique el propósito y el sentido de lo que hace y cómo se alinea con la misión y los valores de la organización. Sea transparente y honesto en su comunicación.