Here's how you can cultivate trust and rapport with conflicted individuals as a Thought Leader.

For someone to respect you as a thought leader they need to know you understand their difficulty or pain. The best way to do that is to make sure they feel heard, valued, respected, and understood, which is what good active listening does.

A escuta ativa é uma habilidade crítica para líderes de pensamento que visam construir confiança com indivíduos em conflito. Ao concentrar-se totalmente no que está sendo dito, em vez de apenas “ouvir” passivamente a mensagem do orador, você mostra respeito e abre a porta para entender as causas profundas do conflito. Isso envolve não apenas ouvir as palavras, mas também perceber pistas não verbais, como linguagem corporal e tom. Refletir sobre o que ouviu e fazer perguntas esclarecedoras demonstra seu compromisso em realmente entender a perspectiva alheia, o que pode desarmar a tensão e promover um senso de camaradagem, essencial em entidades sem fins lucrativos.

Be in the moment. Don't multi-task, don't be active on or looking at your phone, be present in the moment, sit or stand at attention, and give your full attention to the person you're speaking with. Pay attention to their verbal and body language cues, and take in everything they're saying. It is vital to get to the root cause of the issue by "peeling the onion," removing layers and understanding the main issue. Only then can the issue be worked on or resolved.

Empathetic engagement is part of active listening. Some people behave in a way that suggests they are done with the listening part because they start talking without continuing to listen to whatever else the individual might add or say in response. After someone knows they have been heard and understood, they don’t want to be talked at. They want to be talked with. This is a profound experiential difference. It is done by checking in to make sure the other individual is continuing to feel heard and understood, and responding in a way that validates.

Empatia é a capacidade de entender e compartilhar os sentimentos do outro, uma pedra angular na construção de relacionamento com indivíduos em conflito. Como líder de pensamento, mostrar empatia envolve mais do que apenas reconhecer os sentimentos dos outros; requer que você se conecte com eles em um nível emocional. Isso pode ser alcançado compartilhando suas próprias experiências relacionadas à situação, sem ofuscar suas preocupações. Ao validar seus sentimentos e mostrar cuidado genuíno, você cria um espaço seguro para a comunicação aberta, abrindo caminho para que a confiança floresça.

Especially when a relationship has conflict it can be difficult to empathize, but it is incredibly vital. Understanding the position the other person is coming from helps you better understand their passions, their concerns, their struggles and only then can you hope to meet the individual at their level.

As a thought leader, you must ensure that your words align with your actions, as inconsistency can breed mistrust. When your actions reflect your statements, you build credibility and earn the trust of your audience. Consistency demonstrates integrity and commitment to your principles, reinforcing your reputation as a reliable and authentic leader. People are more likely to follow and support someone whose behavior matches their promises, fostering loyalty and long-term engagement. Maintaining alignment between your words and actions is essential for sustaining influence and driving meaningful impact in your field.

Consistency in behavior is a crucial element in building trust, especially with conflicted individuals. Maintaining uniformity in values, decision-making, and interactions establishes a stable foundation that others can rely on. As a thought leader, consistently approaching conflict resolution showcases your reliability and integrity. This steadfastness reassures others of your dependability, providing invaluable support as they navigate their challenges. Predictable behavior encourages individuals to trust your guidance, opening up to your insight and expertise. By upholding consistency in your behavior, you foster strong connections, facilitate open communication, and ultimately enhance your impact as a trusted advisor and leader.

Constructive feedback isn't always pleasant to deliver or receive but it is vital for growth. The importance of constructive feedback cannot be overstated. Randy Pausch once said when you're screwing up and no one says anything, it means they've given up on you. That sort of defeat is difficult if not impossible to overcome. In my experience, the best way to share feedback is by being honest and direct. Have the conversation face to face (digitally if that's your work environment) - if you can't make the time to speak to the person, how can they respect the feedback? And keep the feedback incredibly specific and not personal and focus only on the actions that have happened or need to change. Then create a partnership for improvement.

As a thought leader, it's important to recognize and appreciate the unique contributions and perspectives that each individual brings to the table. Valuing diverse viewpoints fosters an inclusive environment where innovation and creativity can thrive. It encourages team members to share their insights and ideas, leading to richer discussions and more effective problem-solving. Appreciating individual contributions also boosts morale and motivation, as people feel seen and valued for their unique strengths. This approach not only enhances collaboration but also strengthens your leadership by demonstrating respect and empathy.

Trabalhei em uma gráfica, onde a equipe eram pessoas com muita dificuldade de aceitar novos processos e comunicação clara. Aluizo, a liderava a equipe, inicialmente hesitava em mudar de direção. Porém, após uma sessão de brainstorming incentivada por mim, Aluizo adotou uma nova abordagem usando tecnologia emergente. Essa flexibilidade e abertura para novas ideias permitiram à equipe resolver os problemas e adicionar funcionalidades inovadoras a gestão da empresa. Aluizo aprendeu a valorizar a colaboração e a criatividade da equipe.