After a few days off I returned to the team at my workplace today. There had been some happenings so I knew I would need to spend time catching up with other team members. In addition today has been called time to talk day, encouraging us to think about the power of small and act at a local level having conversations that concern our mental health. As usual today I issued invites to have an informal chat. These might have lasted a few minutes or as long as it takes.
I found myself wondering if I needed a different approach to the invites for these chats. Starting with the name ‘chat’, which to me involves joint talking. In a position of leadership and management of team members should I invite folk to a listen? I use listening with my colleagues as a way of checking how they are while trying to minimise using my voice. Asking questions comes into this process then letting the listening start.
If appropriate I might offer an opinion or a story from my experience to illustrate a point. Such sharing does have its uses. The best bits come from listening, using all one has heard, and noting what’s been left out, to help the team member if help is what they want.
So is having a listen what I should call it in my head, or out loud? Maybe just saying let’s have tea or coffee, or go for a walk is open enough, and the expected listening is the unspoken action? On reflection a good listen can make a positive difference, as I was reminded today when colleagues listened to me. For that benefit I’m very grateful.
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