There was a senior project manager who invited me down to his office to talk about a training program for his staff. He introduced me to his company and also the type of engineering work that they were involved in.
However, when it came to his team of people working on the project, he shared about how the team lacked communication. Even though they were sitting next to each other, they sent emails instead of talking openly.
He continued to share about the level of politics within the team as well; especially how some people didn’t like another group of people. He shared about the lack of ownership as well. Team members were just doing enough but did not want to go that extra mile.
For the next 20 minutes, I was hearing all the things that didn’t work out well in the team and how dysfunctional it was. In fact, he was focusing on the team problems and lamenting on the state of condition that they are in.
The boss’ wishes
Rather than focus on what happened and the unhappiness that he is experiencing, I made this powerful assertion “What you are telling me is that you want a team that is able to work very well together and deliver the project on time and safely.”
He stopped complaining and sat up. “Well Kenneth, you seem to know what I want, tell me more about what you can do.”
I turned all my energy to ask him what were his best hopes for his team, what he preferred instead on what is currently happening.
This is an important question because all the sudden he smiled and began talking about the ideal state that their team could have been. He started painting a clear picture of the behaviours needed to succeed in their work while bearing in mind the project deadlines.
Change the conversation
When he was sharing, I noticed that the atmosphere moved from one of despair, into one of hope and possibilities. The best part is that he stopped complaining and started to focus on what he wanted rather than what he didn’t want.
In Small steps to big changes™ conversations, this is how we move people from a state of despair and complaining into one that is resourceful and full of hope.
We focus on listening to the wish behind every complaint. Remember, they are complaining or unhappy because they have a wish that is unmet. Our job is to uncover that wish, rather than talk about the problem. From my observations with people, they are much happier talking about what they want, rather than what they don’t want. They want to move towards a better future, rather constantly staying at where they are.
We make a deliberate attempt to ignore what are the ‘symptoms’ of the problem and focus on what can be done. In my experience working with many people, if you focus on problems, you will tend to get tangled up with more issues and be a lot more emotionally affected.
So, the next time you hear someone complain about things, listen to what is it they really want. Be solution-focused, listen to the wish behind the complaint.
Kenneth Kwan is an internationally recognized Author, Global Leadership and Motivational Speaker, renowned for his ability to inspire and empower audiences worldwide. With over a decade of experience, he has spoken to leaders from 40 countries, helping transform cultures and shift mindsets within Multi-National Companies (MNCs) and Government Organizations. Kenneth’s expertise in solution-focused thinking and strategic planning has guided numerous businesses toward significant results and high-performance environments. Featured in esteemed media outlets like Channel News Asia and Malaysia's BFM89.9, his insights on leadership and motivation are highly sought after. Kenneth's book, "Small Steps To Big Changes," showcases his profound wisdom and practical strategies, making a lasting impact in lectures and training programs across the region.
