Courtroom Tactics for a Stronger Management Style

Originally published on JohnJellinek.info

If you are a in a management position, then you know that commanding respect and influencing your employees is crucial to success. It is your job to read the people around you and do everything necessary to get them working as well as possible. In your quest to perfect your management style, you could stand to learn some lessons from lawyers and their interpersonal skills. Here are some courtroom tactics to employ in your role as manager.

Show Empathy

Connecting with other people is all about demonstrating a willingness to listen. By asking simple questions or making pointed observations, you invite the people around you to open up about their private thoughts and concerns. Once you have earned their trust, a more intimate relationship can form by which you’ll be able to see things from their point of view. This can be very helpful in the creation of a harmonious workplace.

Read Body Language

As a manager, it is your job to really know what is going on with the people around you. When someone says something banal to cover their true feelings, it is on you to discover what they really mean. Watch to see if people look quickly away from you, signifying a lack of certainty. Look into people’s eyes when you greet them, and look for subtle movements that indicate a genuine connection.

Use the Power of Your Voice

We all know it’s not just the words you use that matter, but how you say them. Be conscious of how your voice comes off to those around you. Speak softly to display warmth and trust, and imbue your words with empathy and understanding.

Don’t Fear Vulnerability

Whatever your natural inclinations to the contrary may be, there is no harm in showing your emotions. In fact, allowing yourself to seem vulnerable can open lines of connection with other people that otherwise never would have existed. Your own confidence and self-assurance with your feelings will invite similar openness from those around you. This strengthens and deepens human relationships, to the benefit of all.

Dealing with people is the most difficult aspect of most management positions. By employing these courtroom tactics, you can make it a bit easier.