But no one can talk to HIM!
“No one can talk to him!”
“He doesn’t listen to anyone.”
“He’s impossible to work with.”
Leadership coach Susan Scott tells the story of a “difficult” CEO and how one woman was able to talk to him constructively.
Roger seemed unapproachable, difficult, headstrong...pick your label.
It affected morale. At a critical time when the company was failing, staff was resisting, complaining behind the CEO’s back, and generally not supporting their leader.
Until one day, in the coffee break room, where staff were telling stories about how “no one can talk to Roger,” one woman, asked the group, “Then how can we make ourselves the kind of people he will listen to?”
After this conversation, she went into Roger’s office and said: I want to apologize for my lack of support and want you to know that I have an improved attitude today.
This approach got his attention. He wasn’t put on the defensive. He listened to her explain the disconnect between him and the rest of the company.
She then asked Roger to address the company, so he could explain the big picture and how the parts fit into his vision.
Roger later credited this conversation with helping turn things around, and the woman went on to become a highly respected leader in the company.
A confident communicator is someone who does not fear trying new approaches, breaking patterns, even if it means being vulnerable, in order to find a way to connect with others...even difficult CEOs.
