Slow down to move forward

In a conversation with a client this week she spoke of the unproductivity of remote working. By nature, she is a fast-paced person known for her energy and physical presence. That speed was not influencing people remotely.

She plays a key role in driving the operations of a global business, so buy-in is critical.

A lot of prep goes on before meetings — papers, slides. I asked how she was preparing herself so she arrives calm.

We often ask “What do I need to do?” before a meeting. Another useful question is “Who do I need to be?” When we are rushed or stressed that shows up more in remote meetings.

I went through a simple practice with her that I do myself in the mornings. It takes 10 minutes and enables me to start the day with a clear head feeling calm, relaxed and ready.

We then continued our conversation and she recognised how different her pace was and her listening.

Like many of us who exercise our bodies so they remain strong and agile, it is equally important to exercise our mind so we are calm and clear.

We naturally become more present and less focused on our words. Our questions are insightful as we listen to what people need and gain buy-in.

So take a few moments to slow down so others can move forward.

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