FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ LEADERSHIP AND LISTENING ~ 06 April 2014

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

LEADERSHIP AND LISTENING

"Listen to what I am saying," Job cried out to his "friends" in the biblical story. "That is all the comfort I ask from you. Give me a chance to speak, and then, when I am through, sneer if you like." Job didn't ask for much. But it was more than these colleagues were prepared to offer. Unfortunately, such encounters are far too frequent -- even among those we would expect to care about what we think or feel.

Back in 1989, Admiral Carlisle Trost (then Chief of Naval Operations) asked a group at the Navy's Senior Enlisted Academy, "What is it that makes a leader?" His answer: "Communication, effective communication." He went on to assert that "A leader's willingness to listen, and I mean SINCERELY listen, is probably the single most important factor in the morale of a ship, squadron or unit...."

Notice his emphasis on LISTENING rather than conveying information, or persuading, or even negotiating. Steven Covey, in his "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," makes a similar point when he teaches, "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." Only when we are willing to be influenced, he says, do we give people room to release their fixed positions and consider alternatives.

But how hard that is to put into practice! Isn't our normal reaction to begin framing our response while someone else is still trying to make their point; to defend our own position rather than considering another?

When you consider all the OTHER barriers to communication -- such as differences in personality, temperament, background, training, culture, and sometimes even language -- it's amazing that we are able to communicate at all. Our perspectives are just so different.

Still, we can listen and explore the meaning behind the words. And we can ask questions rather than simply ask if our remarks are clear. We can ask our listeners to repeat back what we've said in their own words. And we can invite dialogue rather than settle for assumptions. I'm reminded of the old adage attributed to Zeno of Citium some 300 years before Christ: "The reason we have two ears and only one mouth is that we may listen the more and talk the less."

How different the world would be if we all learned the leadership (and relationship) secrets in really listening...and seeking to understand. If Covey is right, we would probably be much more effective. If Admiral Trost is right, we would probably be happier as well. Something to consider...

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Luv, and thank you for the hymns.

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

[luvie]

You’re welcome, Kathy! (((hugs)))

A blessed Sunday to you and your Mom, too! :)

[Kathy in Alaska]

A Blessed Lord's Day to you and your family.

The 23rd Psalm

[SandRat]

((HUGS)) Kathy

The Weatherman lied. The cold for us never came.

Maddi had a good week.

Zeus is eating like horse, but is still not seeing clear.

[Arrowhead1952]

Good evening ladies and (((hugs))). Heading for bed now.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening and a Blessed Lord's Day to you and yours.

Good night and rest well, Arrowhead. Thanks for helping honor our military, and thank you for your service to our country.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Lots of leash walks. Does Maddi like to hold the leash?

“I can do it myself”?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Forgive the duplicate pings...

Prayers needed for FReeper onyx' husband, DrO. Please REPLY to onyx.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Luv....I can see the relief in my Mom knowing she doesn’t have to step up to get in the car. We went out to get her new glasses. On the way home she said, “Just one more dental appointment and I can stay home”. Getting away from the familiar is not her thing anymore.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Prayers for DrO and his doctors, as well as you and your family.

Fight On!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Shorty GiggleLips & the Canteen Kids – click

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Troops and Vets, for your service to our country.

Josh Groban ~ You Raise Me Up

Thanks, unique, for the logo.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Blessed Assurance

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

Christ The Lord Is Risen Today

Father, Blessed Father

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, Kathy. How's it going?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

Softly and Tenderly

Somebody Loves Me

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

Take My Hands

You Are My King