Ridge Insights - February 2008
Following Up Agreements
Ridge Insights
A monthly e-brief from Ridge Training
Date: February 21, 2008
To subscribe: http://www.ridge.com/Pub_Newsltr.html
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WHAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT - FOLLOWING UP AGREEMENTS
Last month we talked about how to hold an Agreement Discussion to clarify what you need and expect from other people. ( http://www.ridge.com/insights/ins2008_01.html ) But the real work of Agreements begins after the initial discussion is over. It's time to follow up.
There's a story of a new teacher who, in the middle of the school year, "inherited" a classroom that was out of control: kids out of their seats, yelling, throwing things... You can imagine the rest. This teacher had only one rule for his class: no chewing gum. His colleagues shook their heads and thought he was crazy; chewing gum was the very least of his problems. But he enforced that rule every time he saw a kid chewing gum. Within a couple of weeks, the classroom was transformed. Because the teacher consistently enforced the rule, the children learned that he meant what he said, and that he would follow up on his other expectations of them.
Following up on Agreements has the same effect. Here are three ways to do so effectively:
* CHECK IN. A simple "how's it going?" can serve as a gentle reminder and help you assess if there are problems keeping the Agreement on track.
* APPRECIATE! Most of us know the benefits of recognition and reinforcement on morale and performance, but common knowledge isn't always common practice. So look for the good--and if you want some reminders about how to recognize others effectively, check out http://www.ridge.com/insights/ins2007_11.html
* GET RECOMMITMENT. Agreements don't often work perfectly the first time. Perhaps you were not clear; perhaps the other person misunderstood; perhaps something came up. Our article "Troubleshooting Agreements" ( http://www.ridge.com/Pub_Article.html ) can help you figure out how to get the Agreement back on track. You might also find the "Agreement Preparation: Notes" helpful as you think through the problems in the Agreement.
( http://www.ridge.com/downloads/AgrPrepNotes.pdf )
And remember to be skillful in your follow up. Be curious versus blameful. Listen for the weak links in the Agreement and address them. Take others' needs seriously and include their issues in your problem solving. By inspecting what you expect in a respectful and appreciative way, you'll get better results and build better relationships. Try it and see!
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Copyright 2008 - Ridge Associates, Inc. - All Rights Reserved.
Copyright 2008 Ridge Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.