Global Leadership Network Expertise

The "Coach the Coaches" series: Availability

Dear Dr. Karen,

How can I help one of my direct reports be more available to their group without appearing busy, inconvenienced, rushed or interrupted?

He is typically multi-tasking in the office. While he is concentrating on something he has his head phones on listening to music.

Answer:

With the perception of “availability” you are dealing with at least two issues: 1) Being seen as ready to talk and 2) Tuning in when someone comes to talk. “Busy” managers are turned on by multi-tasking. The lure of doing more than one thing is too great sometimes. It’s a bit like a drug. One way to kick a habit is to substitute new behavior(s) for old one(s).

	What says “busy”	What says “available”

1	Sitting with back to your office door	Fully or partially facing the office door
2	Watching the computer screen while having a conversation	Turning the computer off while having a conversation or turning away completely
3	Answering the telephone while having conversations	Learn to divert or silence incoming calls without a ring in the office
4	Wearing headphones and listening to music while working on the computer even if it helps you focus	Resist the temptation to wear the headphones during regular office hours
5	Showing impatience when someone stops by unexpectedly because you want to concentrate to finish something	Letting others know your “open office” time period; be truly “available” during those times
6	Wiggling or tapping your hands or feet	Pressing a ball or some executive “toy”; telling people that is what keeps you focused

What did you think of this article? Dr. Karen would love to here your feedback!

Ask Dr. Karen - March 6, 2007