Steven Gaffney is a leading expert on creating Consistently High Achieving Organizations (CHAO) including high-achieving teams, honest communication, and change leadership. Steven has worked in more than 25 different industries and market segments for over 25 years. He uses cross-discipline solutions and best practices from other industry sectors to bring fresh, innovative, and consistently successful approaches to his clients. He works directly with top leaders from Fortune 500 companies, associations, and the U.S. government and military; he is also an author, speaker, and trusted advisor. 

In this episode, Dean Newlund and Steven Gaffney discuss:

• Honest communication in the workplace 
• Providing an environment of emotional safety 
• Encouraging people to be more candid
• Giving negative feedback 

Key Takeaways:

• The biggest problem in communication is not in what people say but it’s actually in what they don’t say to each other or what they leave out.
• There’s a difference between being told that you are in a safe place and feeling that you are in a safe place. People want to tell the truth, so it’s important we provide an environment of emotional safety. 
• Create emotional safety. If you’re a leader in your organization, you must initiate and promote speaking candidly. Also, reward honesty. Encourage people to be more honest and give and receive feedback. 
• When you give honest negative feedback, be ready also to give an actionable step that’s measurable and within a time frame. Ask them how you could help them complete their task and establish accountability. 

“Getting the unsaid said, if you can do that, you can fix almost any problem.” —  Steven Gaffney
  

See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I

Connect with Steven Gaffney:  
Website: http://www.stevengaffney.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/steven-gaffney/

Connect with Dean:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkw

Website: https://www.mfileadership.com/

The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/deannewlund

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/

Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.com

Phone: 1-800-926-7370

Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla
 

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You’re the expert. Your podcast will prove it.