Listening Leaders Archived Edition

September 6, 2006

LISTENING LEADERS GOT GUTS

Listening Leaders® exhibit both generosity and guts.

Another annual visit to the summer-ending Minnesota State Fair reminded most of the more than a million fairgoers that participation in some events requires a special fortitude. Like other state fairs and festive gatherings, “The Great Get-Together” known as the Minnesota State Fair provides listening development opportunities everywhere.

For example, careful fair going observers were reminded of the power of persuasive pitches like the simple and powerful advertising theme, “Got Milk?”® As the Labor Day crowds enjoyed the generosity of the Dairy Industries offer of “all the milk you can drink for $1.00” the throngs were subtly reminded of the very successful National Milk Mustache “Got Milk” campaign, jointly funded by America’s milk processors and dairy farmers. The beauty of “the mustache” was reinforced. Consumed with a variety of State Fair gastronomical sweets, tanker truckloads of milk were consumed by fair attendee’s everyday for twelve straight days.

Meanwhile around the fairgrounds, midway barkers, hawkers of every conceivable saleable service or gadget, and politicians of every stripe and office demanded the passerby’s attention. Mix in the force of the compelling and unending vendor invitations to consume quantities of food that anyone who is concerned about their health and longevity should obviously ignore. Then, add the noise, couple the scene with an image of animals and individuals of every age, gender, size, makeup, and condition, and we begin to understand the essence of Labor Day. It takes a spirit of generosity and guts for a listener to end the summer this way.

More importantly, delayed reflection suggests that Listening Leaders® exhibit guts and fortitude beyond Labor Day in 3 simple ways. First, they constantly display the strength required to listen to opinions from individuals who represent contrary positions. With a purpose of learning, they go out of their way to find individuals who they know represent the opposition. In the process, they refine their ability to identify the various purposes and strategies of skilled senders of messages.

Second, they are generous to a fault as they have the guts to listen and not debate the points of difference. As a result, they learn and grow by observing “the other sides of the story.” In fact, they learn sides of the story they would seldom hear in their normal routine. As a bonus, such quiet listening activity also develops the strength required when they find themselves in future listening situations beyond their choice or control.

Third, they have the guts to compliment accurate facts and well-reasoned rhetoric regardless of the source. In the process, areas of common agreement can be highlighted and focus can be placed on substantive topics of agreements and differences. The process takes guts, but one fact is indisputable. Everyone likes leaders who have strength in their convictions, and who are able and willing to stand up and listen to those with whom they disagree.

State Fairs obviously offer more than an abundance of farm animals, grandstand entertainment, ribbon winning jams, stomach-wrenching rides, food-on-a-stick, and cheese-curds. Wherever they exist, they offer a classroom for any Listening Leader® with guts.

LISTENING LEADER KNOWLEDGE NUGGET: Listening Leaders® prove they have guts to listen to anyone.

For the overwhelming majority of Americans, Labor Day is just another long weekend that marks the end of summer and the start of a new school year. Yet for many working Americans, Labor Day has always represented a yearly tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well being of America. For as Samuel Gompers, the founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor, observed, “Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country.” For students of Listening Leadership®, Labor Day provides an opportunity to review and appreciate the facts of the tumultuous labor history in the United States, as well as the importance of developing listening fortitude on all sides of every issue.

In the early 1800’s, laborers began to fight and die for higher wages, shorter work hours, work place safety, and a multitude of worker issues. By 1874, the Tompkins Square Riot in New York led to hundreds of casualties. In 1877, U.S. railroad workers began strikes to protest wage cuts resulting in the ultimate halting of the movement of railroad traffic. Federal troops were engaged to force an end to the nationwide strike resulting in Chicago’s “Battle of the Viaduct” and more casualties.

According to the U. S. Department of Labor, the first Labor Day holiday was celebrated in 1882. Thirty thousand workers marched in the first Labor Day parade in New York City on September 5, 1982. By 1884 as labor organizations grew throughout the industrial centers of the country, the first Monday in September was selected as a “workingman’s holiday.”

At the same time in history, the years of 1885-1887 experienced an extensive growth in the labor movement, strikes and physical confrontation increased. Confrontation at McCormick Reaper led to the famous Chicago Haymarket Square bombing and the ultimate prosecution and execution of anarchists, August Spies and Albert Parsons. In Milwaukee, 16,000 protesters gathered at Rolling Mills to denounce the 10-hour workday, resulting in violent confrontation, injury and death of many participants. Although many of the causes were right in all cases, few on either side listened. Emotions ruled, violence met violence and ended with clubs, guns, and bullets doing the talking.

Fortunately, over the years reasoned minds understood the value of listening and formally recognized the importance of the American worker on the first Monday of September. Labor Day legislation was initiated through various municipal ordinances in 1885 and 1886. In 1887 state legislatures in Oregon, New York, Colorado, Massachusetts, and New Jersey passed laws recognizing Labor Day. Soon after Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states recognized the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28, 1894, the United States Congress officially made the first Monday of September a legal holiday in every state and the District of Columbia.

It seems appropriate, for as 300 years earlier St. Ignatius Loyola wrote: “To give and not count the cost; to fight and not heed the wounds; to toil and not seek for rest; to labor and not ask for any reward; Save that of knowing that we do Thy will.”

Now we have the privilege of enjoying another day of rest and the opportunity to eat cheese curds while we listen to speakers galore extol the virtues of labor. It does indeed take guts.

LISTENING LEADER TIP OF THE WEEK: Find the fortitude to move beyond your circle of listening comfort.

GOLDEN CIRCLE LISTENING LEADERS QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

None but the Brave deserves the Fair ~ John Dryden
He was a bold man that first ate an oyster ~ Jonathan Swift
Who dares, wins ~ Anonymous
Fortune favors the brave ~ Terence

A LISTENING LEADER GIGGLE:

As everyone who has ever labored for any length of time in the work force knows, some souls have never found productive work. One of our loyal readers and contributors shared the following work history of one seemingly unemployable fellow. As the man explained:

“My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned because I couldn't concentrate. Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn't hack it, so they gave me the ax. After that I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn't suited for it, primarily because it was a so-so job. Next I tried working in a muffler factory but that was too exhausting. Then I tried to be a chef because I figured it would add a little spice to my life, but I just didn't have the thyme. So, I attempted to be a deli worker, but any way I sliced it, I couldn't cut the mustard.

My best job was being a musician, but eventually I found I wasn't noteworthy. Then, I studied a long time to become a doctor, but I discovered that I didn't have any patience. Next was a job in a shoe factory; I tried but I just didn't fit in. In desperation I became a professional fisherman, but discovered that I couldn't live on my net income.

Consequently, I managed to get a good job working for a pool maintenance company, but the work was just too draining. So then I got a job in a workout center, but they said I wasn't fit for the job. After many years of trying to find steady work I finally got a job as a historian until I realized there was no future in it. My last job was working at Starbucks, but I had to quit because it was always the same old grind. I remain a seeker for just the right job, but was certainly happy to enjoy some rest on Labor Day.”

A LISTENING LEADERS KUDOS:

Congratulations to every Listening Leader® who has found a productive arena to practice your craft and serve others. A classic example is retiree Chuck Smith. Chuck is a 1956 Albert Lea High School classmate who epitomizes all generous and gutsy listeners and servant leaders. Along with his equally hard working wife Carol their helpful work ethic is impressive. Assisted by the technology of two hearing aids, Chuck listens and positively responds to every significant request for assistance. Everyone who knows Chuck and Carol Smith realize they are representative of thousands of individuals who are blessed with internal fortitude, listen well, take meaningful action, and are a true blessing to everyone they serve. Congratulations to Chuck and Carol Smith.

BECOME CERTIFIED TO TEACH LISTENING LEADERSHIP IN YOUR ORGANIZATION. For certification details, go to www.ListeningLeaders.com

WE ARE LISTENING and invite your action:

Together, we can change the listening attitudes, skills, and knowledge of leaders throughout the world. We appreciate and invite your assistance in expanding our listening leader’s connections. Eight simple steps in advancing this important movement include:

Be generous and gutsy.
Forward this newsletter to your children, grandchildren, friends and colleagues. More important, invite them to Subscribe to the “complimentary and weekly” newsletter by going to www.listeningleaders.com
Send us your listening leader insights, examples and stories.
Start a Listening Leaders Reading and Discussion Group. Invite your Librarian to purchase our Award winning LISTENING LEADER book.
As meeting, conference, and convention attendees spend the bulk of their time listening, please let others know of our availability to Keynote Conventions and customize Listening Leader Workshops.
Invite us to identify specific needs for listening development of leaders in your organizations.
Ask about our proven listening leader training programs and our customized in-house train-the-trainer strategies and our new Certification program.

We can help, we are committed, and we are listening.
Listen, Lead On & Make Today Count! – Manny & Rick
__________________________________________________________________

LISTENING LEADERS: THE TEN GOLDEN RULES
TO LISTEN, LEAD & SUCCEED

By Dr. Lyman K. Steil
& Dr. Richard K. Bommelje

Publisher: Beaver’s Pond Press
(ISBN 1-59298-073-2)

A pioneering book that directly connects listening with leadership.Based on more than 50 collective years of work with listening leaders throughout the world, Dr. Steil and Dr. Bommelje have created 10 practical, proven, and priceless rules to enhance everyone's listening and leadership success. Although outstanding leaders are outstanding listeners, most leaders have neglected the development of their listening attitudes, skills and knowledge.

“This is the most significant book ever written on listening and leadership and will profit leaders at all levels in all types of organizations and enterprises.” Dr. Ralph Nichols, Father of the Field of Listening

ORDER YOUR COPY at www.ListeningLeaders.com or www.amazon.com

Listening Leaders is a weekly e-mail newsletter for people who understand the value of Listening Leadership in their life.

It is brought to you by
the INTERNATIONAL LISTENING LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
We welcome your comments, suggestions and questions.
Please e-mail: ClientServices@ListeningLeaders.com.

Also, please visit our website: www.ListeningLeaders.com

Join our Golden Circle of Listening Leaders who are spreading Listening Leadership attitude, skills and knowledge worldwide! Forward your copy to anyone you believe will benefit from reading The Listening Leaders!

COPYRIGHT AND REPRINTS
Reprint permission is granted when the following credit appears: "© International Listening Leadership Institute. Reprinted with permission from ‘“The Listening Leaders Newsletter,' a weekly Internet newsletter”. For your own personal subscription, go to www.ListeningLeaders.com"

PRIVACY STATEMENT
Your e-mail address is absolutely confidential. We will NEVER give, sell or share your address with anyone.

Subscribe Cancel Update

Dr. Lyman K. (Manny) Steil
25 Robb Farm Road
St. Paul, MN 55127
651-483-3597
LKS@ListeningLeaders.com

Dr. Richard K. (Rick) Bommelje
8530 Amber Oak Dr
Orlando, FL 32817
407-679-7280
RKB@ListeningLeaders.com

[ListeningLeaders]