My thoughts around Leadership often circle around and around some core themes and look at them differently (or even simply repetitively) as I turn my focus to one or another. At the moment one such theme is around how we may be fully present and listen actively and without bias.
First, let me freely note that we cannot ever be fully without bias.
I also have been thinking about the OODA loop, which I wrote around in: “How do fighter pilots respond rather than react?“. Given the speed of action needed in what they do, this is a loop conducted at high speed.
More recently, I wrote: “One more piece of information can change everything” which, in essence, is about Orienting then Observing much more slowly, having the patience to wait for that “one more piece of information” before Deciding then Acting. It also very much references the coaching space of listening then reflecting to support the Coachee in finding their own anaswers, rather than the Consulting space of, well, bias towards “Decide” then “Action”, as the client expects of the consultant (and the consultant of themselves!) that the consultant has the answers.
I find that, whether I am wearing the hat of a Coach or that of a Consultant, it always serves the client best to begin with the Coaching mindset of patiently Orienting then Observing. A key part of this is whatever you can do in that space in first preparing yourself than being present in a way that quietens your inner voice that brings forward your opinions and biases. The quieter and more still you can be, the less your opinions and biases will get in the way.
Oh, and today my thanks in particular to Ben Ford for his knowledge and thoughts on all things OODA related. He communicates this from a depth of knowledge yet often in ways I struggle to engage with. I appreciate his patience in being in dialogue with me around this topic as I look to get my biases and opinions out of the way so I can listen and learn!