Communication

“The problem with communication ... is the illusion that it has been accomplished,” George Bernard Shaw.
1. Open communication - The biggest gap in communication that I observe is the “lack of openness”. Often what’s understood is not what’s intended and people see no reason to seek clarifications. Sadly, both parties may not take the initiative to “ask” and continue to build the relationship on “assumptions”.
2. Flow of information – Communication is considered powerful and complete when the message transmitted is well understood by the receiver in the manner intended by the sender. It is not just the ability to speak in a dialect or language. It involves the flow of information, ideas, concepts, thoughts from one person to another.
3. Forms of communication - Spoken words, gestures and expressions (body language) and the unsaid thoughts are the various expressions of communication. Our thoughts dominate our words and expressions.
4. Context vs content - For communication to be effective it is essential to focus on the context or the underlying emotions rather than just the words or what is heard.
5. Active listening - Listening with a purpose, it may be to gain information, obtain directions, understand others, solve problems, share interest, see how another person feels, show support, etc. It requires that the listener attends to the words and the feelings of the sender for understanding.
“The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention. A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words.”

Discipline

Self-discipline is like a muscle. The more you train it, the stronger you become. The less you train it, the weaker you become.

1. Consistent commitment – I was once coaching a professional who asked me if he wanted to change his habit of poor time management, what was the best way to achieve it. Perseverance and patience or in short, discipline, was the key word. Once you decide to accomplish something, you got to stay at it. Of course, one faces deviations along the way, but it’s a question of vision vs goals. For instance, Lance Armstrong trained for miles and hours to achieve championship position on the bicycle.

2. Long term perspective – Any change whether in process, behavior or relationship, takes time. Slow and steady is a difficult attitude at times in this dynamic environment and it is easy to slip into a negative abyss. Leadership is all about doing what's right rather than what's easy.

3. Effort = Result - Normally, the effort you invest into a project determines the outcome. If you can live with the thought of “This too shall pass”, in the long run, you stand to gain. Be your own competition and for every work done well, raise the bar.

4. Ride the tide - Tough times make great leaders. Maintain the champion's mindset by reading motivating books, associating with excellent people and making time each day to renew your self. Believe in your abilities and intellect rather than being dampened by volatile stock prices!

5. Activity log – Maintaining an activity log of things to do on a regular basis assist in prioritizing what’s urgent and what’s important. Gradually, one is able to assess and accomplish without going into a flap all the time. Its not always about crisis management only.