Setting and achieving goals usually involves a lot of work. Some days, everything comes together in such a way that you think, "There are only idiots out there." Then you find yourself at loggerheads with colleagues and superiors. But in a few hours, you have an important meeting with your boss. Now you can try to "just pull yourself together" and hope that it will still be successful... or you can specifically change your resource state.
A person's resource state describes how well they are able to draw energy from within, access their abilities, and play to their strengths. We can distinguish between low-resource and high-resource states. If you want to set goals and achieve them, it is best to enter into important conversations, such as those with your boss, in a high-resource state, because our perception, thinking, and actions change depending on our resource state. Our willingness to adapt to others also depends on our resource state.
The three states of readiness
In order to set our goals and achieve them more effectively, so that employee communication proceeds as intended and we enjoy successful relationships, it helps to raise our awareness of the state of resources and readiness in which we and others find ourselves. For the purposes of this self-assessment, we can simplify matters by distinguishing between three states of readiness:
No willingness: In this state, our body is geared up for fight or flight. Our receptiveness is reduced to a minimum. The likelihood of us successfully communicating our own concerns is also reduced.
Unwillingness: Here we have a slightly higher receptiveness, but we are not really approachable and are dismissive toward the world. We would prefer to be left alone.
Open readiness: In this state, we approach our environment with openness and receptiveness. We have access to our inner resources. We are receptive and tend to be open to allowing others to take the lead. This enables us to set our goals and achieve them successfully.
Changing the resource status
The state of our resources and our readiness are subject to natural fluctuations depending on the time of day and context. If we want to set goals and achieve them, this is easier to do when we are in a resource-rich state. Of course, it also helps if the person we are dealing with is in a state that positively influences their receptiveness.
Although we cannot prevent fluctuations in our resource status, we can actively influence our own state and that of our counterpart. There are a whole range of different techniques available for this purpose. In this article, I would like to give you three examples of how you can have a positive impact on employee communication.
Changing your own resource status
Association/dissociation technique: Recall a situation in which you felt really good. Let this experience play out in your mind's eye. Perceive it with all your senses: What did you see, feel, hear, smell? This will change your inner attitude and automatically put you in a more resourceful state. If you can't think of a real situation, you can also create a fictional situation in which you recharge your resources.
Embodiment: It is not only our thoughts that influence our physical condition. Conversely, our body also influences our thoughts and feelings. You can set goals and achieve them by taking a moment to notice your facial expressions and posture and consciously changing them. An upright posture, a relaxed voice, and facial expressions have a positive effect on your emotional state and your resourcefulness.
Focus on meaning: "If you have a strong 'why,' you can endure almost any 'how.'" Be aware of the value of employee communication before you enter the situation. This alone can give you new access to your resources. Discuss the purpose of the conversation in order to positively influence your counterpart. Depending on the context, it may be necessary for a good outcome that not only you, but also your conversation partner is in a resource-rich state.
Recognizing the resource status of the other person
In order to know when we should influence the resource state of our counterpart, we must first assess it. Observe your counterpart's expression (facial expressions, gestures, posture), behavior (listens attentively, turns away), and physical reactions (sweating, trembling, etc.).
If you find indications that your conversation partner is in a low-resource state, try to postpone the conversation. If this is not possible, you can accept their unfavorable resource state or try to influence it positively. In the former case, assume that their receptiveness is low and do not weigh their every word. Despite their resource state, you can set certain goals and achieve them in the conversation.
Changing the resource state of the other person
If you want to positively influence the resource state of the person you are talking to, you can sometimes use techniques that you use to manage your own resources. Some techniques are suitable for both self-application and external application. Other techniques are primarily aimed at the other person.
Treating symptoms: Sometimes the most pragmatic solutions are the most effective. Do you notice signs of fatigue in your conversation partner? Offer them a coffee or suggest taking a short break to get some fresh air. Does your conversation partner seem stressed? Ask them if they would like to take a short break from the conversation.
Empathetic listening: Observe your conversation partner's gestures, facial expressions, and body language, and match them. Put yourself in their shoes. Ask Developing Questions to understand them better. Only when your conversation partner feels understood will they be emotionally receptive.
Pattern interruption: Consciously do something differently than you normally would. In a business context, typical patterns of interaction between colleagues or superiors tend to creep in after a while. These patterns conserve resources because they automate actions and attitudes, but they also limit attention and receptiveness: both for you and your conversation partner. Consciously breaking the pattern can restore presence and receptiveness on both sides.
Successful employee communication
The next time you are facing an important meeting and you are having a bad day, pause for a moment and remember the three states of readiness described in this article. If your current state is hindering your success, use your knowledge to regain access to your inner resources. You can set and achieve your own goals. Ultimately, you always have the power to turn even a bad day into a successful conclusion.
We wish you every success.
Your team at the Grundl Leadership Institute
