With child adults

We have terrible role models when it comes to communication. Just think of how your parents and teachers communicated with you! As a result, we find many children posing as adults in the workplace.

But, you have much more influence on these people than you think if you use the right words and stay grounded in your own power.

Say this, not that

In Montessori classrooms, teachers use language with intention. Their intention is to help children learn to build independence, share, and communicate through guidance or listening rather than direction. Your intention can be mutual objectives, or simply to understand.

Have a colleague who is always messing up their tasks? Instead of, “Let me do it for you,” you can say “Would you like to see how I do it?”

What if someone has trouble working with others? Instead of, “Why aren’t you doing your part?” you could say, “it sounds like your team would like you to…”

If someone is lousy with follow-up and follow-through, instead of saying “You need to do a better job at…” you could instead say, “It’s important that you close the loop and let me know when…so that I can…”

The next time a colleague is acting like a child, try talking to them like one.