Most people move through interactions at work on autopilot, sending messages or speaking up in meetings without really thinking about their responses until afterward, says leadership coach Aiko Bethea.
But firing off a quick email reflexively is exactly how people make mistakes, says Bethea, founder of Atlanta-based leadership development firm RARE Coaching & Consulting. You can avoid those slip-ups — like when a snap judgment leads to a poor decision, or when you mindlessly say “yes” to something you really want to decline — by asking yourself these three questions to reset your brain and conversational reflex, Bethea says:
Sometimes, you can take a moment to reflect before contributing to a potentially stressful or high-pressure conversation, like hitting send on a contentious email or joining a meeting with your manager. Use that opportunity to ask yourself these three questions first, Bethea recommends. People who consistently do that can better assess situations instead of acting immediately and, over time, make difficult decisions more quickly, she says.
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Moreover, the questions can help you “adjust your words and tone” in real time so your behaviors consistently reflect your beliefs, says Bethea, author of “Anchored, Aligned, Accountable,” which published on April 21.
