Creative Results Management - Cause and Unintended Effects

Home
Cause and Unintended Effects

Cause and Unintended Effects

01 Mar 2024 5:37 PM | Keith Webb (Administrator)

If I hit my thumb with a hammer as I hang a picture, the cause of my pain is apparent. Much of life’s cause and effects are not as plain to see.

I knew a leader who regularly gave his team rousing pep talks to motivate them. The team appreciated the talks, but didn't work together well or support each other. Why?

I’m reminded of the book of Haggai. The people of Jerusalem lived after the destruction of the temple. The people had built nice houses, but the Lord’s house remained a ruin. "Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways’” (Haggai‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭NIVUK‬‬). The people have not prospered despite their hard work. The Lord was not blessing them because his house as in ruins. Again he says, ‘Give careful thought to your ways’ and instructs them to gather materials to build the Lord’s house.

It’s only when we "give careful thought to our ways" that we can see the unintended effects of our actions.

The leader who gave pep talks had a background of individual competition sports and used those metaphors. The team heard the strive-to-be-the-best pep talks and competed with each other rather than working together. He only uncovered the unintended effect of his pep talks though coaching as "he gave careful thought to his ways.”

Your communication has unintended effects too.

Coaching training provides space for you to “give careful thought to your ways” of communication so that you can get your desired, not unintended, effect.

If you change your conversations, you’ll change your results.

Grace & Peace,

Keith Webb

Add comment

FROM KEITH WEBB

Keith Webb If you're a Christian leader and want to multiply your impact, we can help. I developed The COACH Model® and our ICF-approved Christian coaching training to help you achieve organizational results while simultaneously developing people.

Since 2005, we led leadership development and coaching processes in more than 30 countries with over 350 organizations. In the past 3 years, we trained more than 10,000 leaders in coaching skills.

Learn more about us »

CONNECT WITH US

OFFICE HOURS

We work remotely to keep rent from raising the price of our coaching training. The best way to contact us is via email. We can give you a call, if you wish.

Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm (Pacific time)