25 years ago, one of the world’s most iconic pieces of modern art and “Mona Lisa of our time” – The Scream – was stolen from the National Gallery.

I’m certainly no art expert, but I know what I like.  And it appears it’s slightly different from Mrs N’s. We discovered this during our honeymoon in Italy, where every day we took refuge from the searing sun in yet another gallery.

There were styles we both agreed we really liked and lingered around these exhibitions longer.

But there were plenty others where one of us would haphazardly race through, whilst the other ambled along.

Inevitably, we found ourselves challenging and mocking one another:

“How can you not like that?”

“Call that art?”

“Seriously, I could do better than that!”

“You need to broaden your mind.”  

Probably not ideal on honeymoon!

Seeing today’s anniversary about The Scream, it reminded me of one of our Maxims that we live and breathe here at Advocate; how we Think, Act and Behave:

See the world how others see it.

Some of the most common questions I get asked is:

“Why doesn’t my team care as much as I do?” 

“Why don’t they get it?” 

“Why don’t they feel the same as me?”

I’m sure you can relate this, frustrating isn’t it.

But once you understand the why, you can turn this into a really positive outcome for your business and your sanity.

When you speak or write, your intention can often get lost in the understanding, and it’s easy to forget that each member of your team (and your client base) understands and “decodes” information differently.

This is because we hear what we know, what we want, or what makes sense based on our life so far.

Our brains are great at simplifying, organising and making sense of things. The challenge arises when we forget that the way WE’VE organised the world is different to the way others around us have.

Now that you’re aware of the why, here’s 5 ways to help you engage your team for a better outcome:

• Create the right environment for your staff, which includes a culture and a systemised process for open and honest feedback.
• Listen, not tell. When someone isn’t fully listening to us, or is constantly interrupting us, we feel unloved and undervalued.
• You won’t always have the answers to hand (you’re only human) but being open to questions will open you up to the world around you. The best leaders don’t engage in monologues, they stimulate conversations which enables staff to challenge, learn and develop.
• I know it’s difficult in the heat of the moment but remember to breath and be patient when someone has misunderstood or misinterpreted a task. Revisit the original brief/instruction together or as a group, learn from it and move on.
• Use positive phrases with your teams when seeking to understand: “What worked well? Even better if…?”

So, get working on your own canvas this week, and let me know how you get on.

BW,

Martin

PS just out of interest, do you like The Scream?!