"Why do we make
life so hard?" asks author and professional
communicator Fletcher Peacock. His advice
to stressed out farm managers? Do less to
accomplish more.
Fletcher, self-publisher of the book "Water
the Flowers Not the Weeds," travels across
North America to promote his philosophy of
"solution focused communication."
At the heart of the philosphy: get people
to produce their own solutions.
While our first instinct as managers is to
offer solutions to problems, Fletcher says
we need to "ask others for their solutions
because that builds self-esteem." Not
only that, "people are more motivated
to carry out their own ideas." In his
view, leading others to their own solutions
is what leadership is all about.
Other advice from Fletcher: Remember that
while you may think your way is the "right"
way, everyone has different values. To communicate
better, find out what those values are. How?
Listen to the words they use. If they talk
about having "fun" or enjoying a
"challenge," use
those same words to motivate them.
Fletcher believes there is great power in
words, more than we realize. The word "problem,"
for example, can be "heavy" and
"discouraging". There are no problems,
he proclaims, "only opportunities."
Similarly, there are no "failures,"
only "learnings".
The best way to reduce stress, he advises,
is to "manage your inner garden"
because 90 percent of interaction is within
our own mind. "The words you use when
thinking to yourself and how you view others
has a huge impact."
But while we may be
able manage our own thoughts, how do we cope
with negativity from others? Asking someone
why they are not succeeding only creates blame,
says Fletcher who advocates taking people
to another time when things were better. You
can ask if they've ever solved a similar situation
before and how they did it, and let them see
the potential of the future. That, he insists,
is the only way to deal with complainers who
will otherwise reject any solutions you try
to impose. Besides, he adds, "coming
up with solutions that people don't follow
is hard work."
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 Fletcher
Peacock
Speaker and Author
Solution focused communication was
conceived to greatly improve communication
skills and enhance effectiveness,
in both one’s personal and professional
life. Renowned for the dynamism, simplicity
and effectiveness, Fletcher Peacock
has spoken at numerous conferences
and seminars in both the public and
private sectors in Canada, the U.S.,
and even Russia. His audiences include
company directors, managers, employees
and work teams.
An excellent communicator and facilitator,
Fletcher Peacock shares his discoveries
in an intelligent and easy manner.
He has a knack for creating a dynamic
and enjoyable learning climate.
Operating in an atmosphere respectful
of an organization’s or business’s
working environment, Fletcher Peacock’s
sense of humor, intelligence and enthusiasm
propel his audiences to a level where
everything is possible.
Solution Focused Communication is
a strategy that revolutionizes professional,
personal and family relationship.
Instead of laboriously looking for
the causes of our difficulties, we
are invited to discovers solutions.
He is also the author of "Water
the Flowers, Not the Weeds."
For more on Fletcher Peacock, visit his website.
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