BE THAT LAWYER

Meredith Bell: Communication Skills for Strong Leaders

Episode Summary

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Meredith Bell discuss: Challenges with communication and why the way we talk to each other matters. Communication between the generations in a workplace. Managing expectations and understanding values and work ethic. Why positive feedback is key to relationships and company culture. Key Takeaways: Many challenges we face are because we come into conversation with assumptions about those we are speaking with. If we slow down enough to ask people what is important to them, listening, then acting upon that information is going to make a difference, no matter who you are talking to. Agreements are talked about by both parties; expectations are full of assumptions without communication. To give more valuable positive feedback, you, as a leader, need to notice more, notice those things you really value, and share that with your team. "When you think about the generations, if we're willing to listen, to ask questions, and listen to learn what's important to this person, then I think we can break down some of these barriers around perceptions and assumptions that we have around whatever the age group is that you want to identify as troublesome for you." — Meredith Bell Get a free audio copy of Steve’s book “Legal Business Development Isn’t Rocket Science” here: https://fretzin.com/audiobook Thank you to our Sponsors! Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/1-month-free/ Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/ Get Visible: https://www.getvisible.com/ Episode References: How to Get Clients by Steve Chandler The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard The Rising Leader Podcast with Mark J Silverman About Meredith Bell: Meredith is the Co-founder and President of Grow Strong Leaders. Her company publishes software tools and books that help people build strong relationships at work and at home. Meredith is an expert in leader and team communications, the author of three books, and the host of the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast. Her latest books, co-authored with her business partner, Dr. Dennis Coates, are Connect with Your Team: Mastering the Top 10 Communication Skills, and Peer Coaching Made Simple. In them, Meredith and Denny provide how-to guides for improving communication skills and serving as a peer coach to someone else. Connect with Meredith Bell: Website: https://growstrongleaders.com/ Grow Strong Leaders Podcast: https://growstrongleaders.com/podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithmbell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1561855 Twitter: https://twitter.com/meredithmbell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeredithMBell Books: Connect With Your Team - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734805110 Peer Coaching Made Simple - https://www.amazon.com/Peer-Coaching-Made-Simple-Helping/dp/1734805145 Connect with Steve Fretzin: LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin Twitter: @stevefretzin Instagram: @fretzinsteve Facebook: Fretzin, Inc. Website: Fretzin.com Email: Steve@Fretzin.com Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more! YouTube: Steve Fretzin Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Episode Notes

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Meredith Bell discuss:

Challenges with communication and why the way we talk to each other matters.
Communication between the generations in a workplace.
Managing expectations and understanding values and work ethic.
Why positive feedback is key to relationships and company culture.

Key Takeaways:

Many challenges we face are because we come into conversation with assumptions about those we are speaking with.
If we slow down enough to ask people what is important to them, listening, then acting upon that information is going to make a difference, no matter who you are talking to.
Agreements are talked about by both parties; expectations are full of assumptions without communication.
To give more valuable positive feedback, you, as a leader, need to notice more, notice those things you really value, and share that with your team.

"When you think about the generations, if we're willing to listen, to ask questions, and listen to learn what's important to this person, then I think we can break down some of these barriers around perceptions and assumptions that we have around whatever the age group is that you want to identify as troublesome for you." — Meredith Bell

Get a free audio copy of Steve’s book “Legal Business Development Isn’t Rocket Science” here: https://fretzin.com/audiobook

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/1-month-free/

Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/

Get Visible: https://www.getvisible.com/

Episode References:

How to Get Clients by Steve Chandler
The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard
The Rising Leader Podcast with Mark J Silverman

About Meredith Bell:

Meredith is the Co-founder and President of Grow Strong Leaders. Her company publishes software tools and books that help people build strong relationships at work and at home. Meredith is an expert in leader and team communications, the author of three books, and the host of the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast.

Her latest books, co-authored with her business partner, Dr. Dennis Coates, are Connect with Your Team: Mastering the Top 10 Communication Skills, and Peer Coaching Made Simple. In them, Meredith and Denny provide how-to guides for improving communication skills and serving as a peer coach to someone else.

Connect with Meredith Bell:

Website: https://growstrongleaders.com/

Grow Strong Leaders Podcast: https://growstrongleaders.com/podcasts/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1561855

Twitter: https://twitter.com/meredithmbell

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

Books: