Non-PRO English to Greek Other Management business

In general, managers are getting better at listening to employees. But their teams don’t always see it, or even recognize that it matters. I remember leading a turnaround at a Georgian flour mill that had been taken over by Western investors. Local supervisors were resisting the changes I had proposed, despite my best efforts to engage them in decision making. I sat down with one of the most disaffected managers, who said I had never listened to his eservations. “But I’ve been taking careful notes at all our meetings,” I told him. “Surely you must
have seen that?” “I saw you writing, yes,” he replied. “But you used loose sheets that I’m pretty sure you threw away afterward. If you were taking our input seriously, you’d be using a bound notebook, as you see me do.”

I assured this manager that I was keeping the notes, but I could tell he didn’t believe me. So the next day I brought in my ringed binder, and he saw for himself how I had meticulously recorded and commented on what I had heard. The change in attitude was remarkable. He and his colleagues recognized that I had carefully considered their advice before going against it, which made it easier for them to accept my decision. It all turned on the way I had taken notes!

This experience taught me that communication is multifaceted. People tune in to your body language, where you look, what you do with your hands. It can be hard to remember this when you’re in a meeting, but managing such signals is essential. (Whatever you do, don’t look at your watch or check the time on your mobile device while someone else is talking.)