When you’re speaking to your team or a larger group, don’t forget to pause for check-ins.
Sometimes, I see leaders who are very passionate about the message they’re delivering. They’re in meetings or on calls, and they’re just firing off information. Everything they’re saying is spot on, and it’s hitting the mark. But here’s the challenge: they rarely pause. They don’t stop to ask, “Are people really understanding this? Do they have questions? Are they fully grasping what I’m trying to explain?”
This has happened to me many times. Early in my career, I got feedback from someone who said, “Everything you’re saying is right on point, but you’re doing all the talking. Everyone else is just sitting there, nodding.” It sounded good. It felt good. But the truth was, we didn’t know if people were really bought in, if they had questions or if they even understood what was being shared.
That’s why it’s important to pause and invite questions. Questions give you insight into how they’re seeing it. You can even ask them to explain it back to you in their own words. That helps you check for real understanding.
When you do that, you’ll actually go further. It might take a little longer. Sure, it feels good to just get all the information out, see the head nods and check it off your list. But what I’ve found is you often have to circle back later because people don’t always think that fast. You’ve been thinking about it, and you’re already bought in, but you have to bring others along at the right speed.
So slow down a bit. I know; funny advice coming from me. But really, pause, ask questions and check for understanding. You’ll go further, faster than if you just blast through the message.
