Written by: Michael Wilkes

In today's fast-paced world, where communication often feels like a race to be heard rather than an exchange of ideas, the art of listening seems to have lost its significance. However, Stephen Covey's Speed of Trust Habit #11, "Listen First," serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of active listening in fostering trust and collaboration.

A couple of months ago, I shared my challenges with Habit #9, “Clarify Expectations”. This month’s Habit, #11, “Listen First” was my key takeaway when the Executive Team went through this book. When you think about the counterfeit behaviors of “Listen First”, I’ve done them all – listening without understanding, listening only to formulate your reply/argument (my personal favorite), focusing on your own agenda/purpose and the ultimate counterfeit, pretending to listen.

The full article can be read inside Workplace.

Congrats to the first Learn a Latte winner, Chris Henson, who took 56 classes in February!

Don't miss our March TED@Work Talk, The Value of Kindness at Work, featuring Chief Strategy Officer Nolan Sunderman. Sign up today inside Workday!

Written by: Tim Danneberg

We’ve all listened to great speakers. We’ve all heard poor speakers. What sets each apart?

Obviously when we’re at an event with a featured speaker or listening to a TED talk, there is the presentation. It includes intonation, word choice, theatrics at times. It often has a choreographed set of movements and gestures that have been honed over years of practice. You leave emotionally impacted.

But as far as I know, the City of Olathe is not home to professional speakers. We’re home to leaders seeking ways to reach and relate to those around us in a genuine, heartfelt and honest way.

How do we do that better? Here are seven simple ideas that might help.

The full article can be read inside Workplace.

Sometimes the experiences we most anticipate and prepare for aren’t the ones that stick. It’s the little moments and unexpected relationships that open chapters and versions of ourselves we never saw coming.

For Major John Roland one of those little moments happened 37 years ago, when he was on his high school freshman football team. One day a popular and well-respected member of the varsity team approached Johnny while he was at his locker and asked how practice was going.

Floored that someone who had nothing to gain from the interaction didn’t just notice him but take the time check in, left a feeling that stuck. In a sea of layered high school dynamics, Johnny suddenly mattered.

And while some may have overlooked the moment or let it get to their head, Johnny tucked it away, the first in a playbook designed to win.

The full article can be read inside Workplace.

Downtown Development Coordinator Damien Denmark is no stranger to adversity. Always seeking positions centered around revitalization and growth, that’s precisely why he chose to work here. But if you look at his personal story, it’s no surprise that this was his next chapter.

Growing up in east Texas, where he faced a young Patrick Mahomes on the football field, Damien was drawn to community. From his Baptist church to a vibrant cityscape, he found value and comfort in the company of others.

In 2020 Damien was ready to spread his wings and set off for his next adventure in Liberal, Kansas. But like all of us, he could have never imagined what was about to unfold both personally and professionally.

The full article can read inside Workplace.

In celebration of the first day of spring, our 2024 #OlatheBeautiful competition will kick off March 19!

Grab your camera and stay tuned for updates on Workplace.

Photo taken by 2022 winner Adrienne Lund