Fostering Open Communication for Better Ideas

If people hold back their real opinions, you miss what could make you better. If no one challenges your thinking, your ideas stop evolving. In these cases, you need confident humility. I know, I know, it sounds like an oxymoron. but hear me out... Asking for feedback, advice, and new perspectives from a place of confidence can improve your work, sharpen your judgment, and help you grow. This is especially important in complex, uncertain and diverse environments where people bring different expertise, lived experiences, and communication styles. In these situations, having openness to look for feedback and advice is what allows your good thinking and work to get better. You are looking for input from others because you want greater understanding. When this is combined with confidence in what you do know, it makes you more CREDIBLE and respected because you show commitment and a willingness to dig deeper. 🔎 A simple habit to build this skill: - Ask for input, early, consistently, and from a place of confidence in wanting to learn more (not insecurity). - Ask authentically and specifically, around what you would benefit from knowing. For example “Given your knowledge of ABC, what’s something I could have approached differently?” or “I have deep knowledge of A but not B, what might I be missing in how I framed that for B?” When practiced regularly, this habit improves your performance and reshapes how others experience working with you. Professionals who lead with this type of confident humility tend to: ✅ Surface better ideas through collaboration ✅ Reduce defensiveness in high-stakes conversations ✅ Strengthen trust, especially across lines of difference ✅ Adapt more quickly in unfamiliar or shifting contexts In a world where no one sees the full picture alone, humility keeps you learning when it matters most. #Humility, #Feedback, #ProfessionalGrowth, #Collaboration, #SoftSkills, #ContextualAgility Skiilify

Misunderstandings happen more often than they should. Why? Because we often forget a key principle in communication: UNDERSTAND OTHERS BEFORE SEEKING TO BE UNDERSTOOD. This simple change can transform our interactions, leading to stronger relationships, better collaboration, and the ability to tap into diverse perspectives. When we feel truly heard and understood at work, we're more likely to do our best and share our unique insights. If this idea is so important, why don’t we use it more often? Here are a few reasons: (a) Time Pressure: In an environment where our calendars look like heavily-stacked pancakes, we're focused on meeting deadlines and getting results. This urgency can lead us to make quick decisions instead of taking the time to listen and understand. (b) Ego and Self-Interest: We often prioritize our own opinions, driven by the need to prove our competence or authority. This focus on advancing our own agendas can make us overlook the value of understanding others. (c) Lack of Awareness or Skills: Many people aren't aware of their listening habits or how their communication style impacts others. Plus, active listening and empathy are skills that require practice and intention. (d) Emotional Barriers: Stress, anxiety, or frustration can create barriers to understanding. When overwhelmed by these emotions, it can be hard to empathize with others or listen effectively. (e) Cognitive Biases: Biases like confirmation bias can prevent us from considering other viewpoints objectively, making understanding difficult. Here's the good news! We can overcome these barriers and build better habits. Here are three tips to do just that: 1.    Practice Active Listening: Truly listen to others without thinking about your response. Focus on what is being said, ask questions, and reflect on the information to gain deeper insights. 2.    Ask Questions to Understand: Instead of assuming you know what others are thinking, ask open-ended questions to invite them to share their thoughts and feelings. This encourages a deeper understanding of their perspectives and builds trust. 3.    Encourage Open Dialogue: Create spaces where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. Be vulnerable. Encourage diverse perspectives and value each person's contribution. By seeking to understand first, we strengthen collaboration and ensure everyone feels valued and motivated to do their best. #understanding #relationships #collaboration #energy #humanbehavior #workplace #leadership #teamwork #skills #listening #empathy #dialogue

The next time you find yourself in a meeting and someone says 'That won't work', 💡note to self: that leader may have just shut down an innovative idea...and more detrimentally, an innovative person. These negative comments, though seemingly small and initially insignificant, can actually create a toxic environment where employees feel unheard and devalued. And that quickly turns into declining engagement. Are you accidentally killing innovation in your team? Suffocating creativity? Here are some practical ways you can reverse the pattern: ✅Foster a culture of open communication and psychological safety by training your managers on active listening. ✅Encourage your team to share their ideas without immediate judgment by practicing the 3-second pause before responding. ✅Take the time to understand the intention behind their suggestions with this question: What are the potential benefits you see? ✅Consider brainstorming, design thinking, or other creative processes during a structured quarterly or annual team building retreat. This will empower your team, lead to greater innovation, and create a positive work environment! #KeepThatTalent How do you create space for innovation and new ideas in your team? Share your thoughts! #Leadership #Innovation #EmployeeEngagement #Culture #PsychologicalSafety ***** The Mission: Create a better work experience for all, one training at a time. As Managing Principal of LiberationX Contracts, Vanessa and her nationwide team of trainers and coaches empower leaders and executives to build high-performing teams and navigate the complexities of the modern workplace. Work shouldn't just be 'work.' ✅ Message Vanessa Zamy today for more details.