Archive for December, 2009

Dec
09

Ask a question! Solve a problem!

Posted by: Bill | Comments (0)

The art and power of asking questions is the subject of a new book,  “Just Ask” by author Bill McGrane of McGrane Global Centers in Union, KY.  In his presentation at a recent  Florence Rotary Club luncheon meeting, McGrane suggested that problems can be solved simply by asking questions.

Whether the problem is an unsolved personal issue, a request for help from a friend or family member, or something as simple as a lull in a conversation, the right question will go a long way towards a potential solution.

If a nagging worry is bothering you, ask yourself, “What do you think the problem is?”  When a friend brings you a problem, ask, “If you weren’t coming to me, if you had to resolve this on your own, what would you do?”  If you are at a table or meeting with a group of people and you see someone is getting upset or angry, or if it all of a sudden talk stops completely, using the power of affirmation in the form of a question can redirect the conversation in a very powerful and positive way.

McGrane proposed the idea that questions can help us respond with grace and ease if we are in the habit of using them.  Be prepared by writing down 10 scripted questions you can use at any time.  To order the book, “Just Ask” or to learn about other personal development tools available from the McGrane Global Centers, visit their Web site, www.mcgrane.com or call 859-384-6333.  For more information about the Florence Rotary Club and service projects, visit the Web site at www.florencerotary.org or contact John Salyers, president, at jsalyers7@insightbb.com or 859-653-9399.

Chuck Seal

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Dec
08

Listening

Posted by: Bill | Comments (0)

In order to refine your skill of external listening you need to quiet the conversation you are having with yourself and focus on hearing what the other person is saying.  Listening is affected by selective exposure, selective retention, experiences, and perception – whether we are consciously aware of these factors or not.  We listen through filters impacted by our levels of understanding, upbringing, culture, value system, social tendencies, education, relationships and the list goes on.  Research shows that most people are willing to listen to someone only as long as 80 percent of what’s being said blends with their own beliefs.

To enhance your communication, you need to hear what the person in front of you or on the phone is saying.  Give your undivided attention to that person.  Nothing can be going on inside of you.  Quiet your internal dialogue or self-talk- what you are saying to yourself in your head – most of which originates at the subconscious level.  You may never quiet all of your internal dialogue; however, it is possible to take charge of more of it.

Become aware of your self-talk.  Write it down and begin to recognize how it may be holding you back or moving you forward.  Is it beneficial or detrimental to you?  Take some quiet time and focus on yourself and your internal dialogue.  It could be as simple as noticing your self-talk while driving to work.  Are you putting yourself in a positive or negative frame of mind?

Bill McGrane – McGrane Global Centers

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Dec
07

An Often Not-So-Honest Environment

Posted by: Bill | Comments (0)

In business today, or in any relationship, are you finding that people are not really saying what is on their minds?  Do you find that the environment is often not conducive for them to feel comfortable sharing their points of view?  They may say, “I’m not going to tell anyone what I think;  I might lose my job.  What if we downsize?  I’m older than most of you.”  As a result, we are having to pay a big price in our government, institutions, and organizations.  We may placate people and try to make them believe and feel something that is not reality – to keep them in line and under our control.  Yet, with the skill of interviewing questions and a sincerely concerned attitude, we could discover everyone’s point of view and take it into consideration.  We could then creatively find a point of view that could serve everyone, and possibly find solutions to some, perhaps, longstanding issues.

Bill McGrane – McGrane Global Centers