If you’ve ever spent time in Bayou Country, you know that Cajuns love to talk. And depending on their passion for their subject, they can gesture wildly as they speak. It doesn’t matter where they are — a family gathering, a church function, a PTA event, a business meeting, or even a wake or a funeral — Cajuns get animated when they talk and don’t care who else is talking at the same time.

In South Louisiana, the expression “gumbo ya ya” actually has nothing to do with gumbo or any kind of food. Rather, it describes a scene in which everyone chatters at once. This occurs frequently in Cajun culture; does it happen in your organization, too?

Do you participate in any of the “gumbo ya ya” that goes on among your team members?

Do You Listen?

As a leader, you might be so busy barking out directions, delegating, and giving instructions, you don’t think about taking time to listen to what others are telling you.

But by becoming a better listener, you’ll increase your own productivity as well as that of your team. You’ll improve your ability to influence, persuade, and negotiate. What’s more, you’ll avoid conflict and misunderstandings on the road to resolving problems with customers, co-workers, and bosses — all necessary activities for workplace success.

Clearly, success stems from listening well, a skill you likely use more than any other kind. To consciously practice your listening skills, follow these do’s and don’ts-guidelines you’ll find handy in all locales and relationships:

• Do ask for and really listen to what others say. You may be surprised at the insight they offer.
• Don’t interrupt, draw conclusions, or judge the speaker.
• Do open your ears, mind, and heart to the suggestions of others, to new ideas, and to creative solutions.
• Don’t assume you already know what others are about to say, or worse, finish their sentences for them.
• Do listen to what’s being said as well as what’s not being said. Often team members have insight into a problem but need to feel safe from judgment or condemnation before opening up. As a leader, remember what you don’t know can hurt you!
• Don’t focus on your next statement while the other person speaks. Waiting for your turn to say something is not listening!
• Do maintain eye contact with those who are speaking, giving them your full attention. Have you ever tried to talk about something important to someone who was multitasking? It’s frustrating! So when someone is trying to talk to you, give them the respect of being fully present and attentive.

Continually work on achieving and modeling good listening skills for yourself and your team members. Don’t let “gumbo ya ya” become part of your organization’s culture!

Action Time! What will you:

• start doing,
• stop doing, or
• continue doing or do differently

to improve your communitcation with your team members? Use the comment box below to share your action plan with us!