Achieving Clarity: Part Two

An excerpt from my forthcoming book Ingaging Leadership: The Ultimate Guideby Evan Hackel
Practical Steps for Achieving Clarity

• Connect the issue at hand with its significance to the individuals involved. Explain how a clear understanding could elevate their personal performance and the organization's standing.

• Be transparent about your thoughts, beliefs, and the facts at your disposal. Encourage open, two-way dialogues. Keep in mind the distinction between facts (the verifiable reality) and opinions (individual perspectives).

• Validate shared understanding through active reiteration. Request that people echo your thoughts. This promotes collective clarity and reveals any discrepancies between fact and opinion.

• Encourage feedback and criticism, but ensure these are based on facts rather than unfounded beliefs. Remember, the goal is to enhance comprehension, not to assert the superiority of one's opinion.

• Check regularly to be sure effective communication is taking place. For instance, ask, "Can you reflect back on what I just mentioned, distinguishing the facts from the opinions?"

• Foster an environment of trust. This involves cultivating a culture free of blame, where participants feel comfortable admitting they've lost focus, need a point clarified, or when they've intermingled fact with opinion.

• Advocate for deep, committed listening. This not only facilitates collective clarity but also aids in separating fact from opinion.

In conclusion . . . It is not enough to simply understand a topic or an action you are considering. To take your leadership to the next level, clarity is needed. I hope that the steps I recommend in this chapter will help you move to a higher level of leadership effectiveness.