FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ LEADERSHIP & LISTENING ~ 16 February 2020

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

 

[SkyDancer]

Hai! Yeah, leaving early Sunday morning to Denver to pick up my flights to Chicago, Atlanta and elsewhere.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Military Families, for your service to our country.

John Conlee ~ They Also Serve

[Kathy in Alaska]

To our Military -

Thank you for protecting us. Sleep well and safe.
May you be protected. May your families' hearts be at ease.

Thank you to our Allies.

**********************************

To those of our Military and Allies who gave their all,
- May your souls rest in peace. May your families be comforted.
May your/our country always remember.

[luvie]

Jim Brickman~How Great Thou Art

Daniel O'Donnel~Church In The Wildwood

The Trevecca Madragalians~It Is Well With My Soul

Dallas Christian Sound~My God And I

St. Olaf Choir~Beautiful Savior

Providence~I'm Telling The World About His Love

Vocal Majority~Deep River

Have a blessed Sunday
God bless our troops!

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!

[E.G.C.]

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

How's everyone doing this morning?

[radu]

Howdy, E.G.C. ((HUGZ))

Doin’ pretty good here, enjoying DRY weather and it isn’t too cold.

How’d things go at the lake yesterday? Did Gizmo haul you across the rocks again? :-)

[E.G.C.]

Well, we had a great visit to the lake and then went over and visited Cousin Dickie but something happened yesterday with the pickup.

I couldn't get the ignition switch to turn and I had to get some WD40 and put the vehicle in park to get the key out. When I put the key back in to try to start it it wouldn't budge and I have to put it in park and move the shift around. I think it may be time to replace the ignition switch.

To top it off, I thought for a while I locked myself out and ended up using the AAA to ask for assistance.Then, I noticed I had a spare key in my pocket and used it to unlock the pickup. I cancelled the assistance.

Not one of my better days yesterday. I think I may have to get a new ignition switch.

We did have fun at the lake though. Saw a couple of guys with a boat and another guy fishing on the curb. Fishing seems to be pretty good out there.

[radu]

Bummer about the truck problems. You know the ol’ sayin’ - when it rains, it pours.

At least it was a good time at the lake and that was a bright spot in the day.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Luv, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

Thank you for the hymns.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, radu, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

Hope you are still having a dry out of your soaked property.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

Sounds like you had quite the time with your ignition switch. Glad you were able to manage to do what you needed with WD40 and moving the shift around. Not fun at all!!

Hope you guys are able to have fun exploring today.

[BTerclinger]

Shavua Tov, prayers up for for our wounded active duty!

[left that other site]

Hanging in there.

I am sure it is just a cold, as I have not eaten any bat soup recently.

[mountainlion]

It warmed up a bit and the sun came out, great for the spirit and getting rid of cabin fever. More snow on the way. I hear there is some record cold in Alaska. I hope things warm up there also