How to Get the Best Decision

So often I see leaders and managers telling their subordinates what to do, and then complain that they have no initiative. You have probably seen it yourself or even heard people say, “I don’t have time to show them what to do. It is easier to just do it myself.”

Unfortunately, this is a short term strategy that leads to frustration, overwhelm and exhaustion. Whether it is showing them how to do pivot tables in a spreadsheet, how to use the new extruder, or getting them to take more responsibility for leadership decisions, if you are taking command of the situation they will never completely buy in or take ownership.

The best way for them to learn the new skill or step up into a leadership role is to take complete ownership of the situation/problem. It takes longer, requires more effort in the short term, and it will build a more functional and responsible team.

So next time, try this instead:

• Tell them the outcome you are aiming for
• Show them the guidelines they will be operating within and any restrictions they have
• Start asking questions and let them lead the way. For example, what would you start with, who should get involved, what is the first checkpoint
• When they start making mistakes, don’t tell them. Instead, ask more questions. For example, what do you think will happen if you go down this path, does the result you are getting make sense, what about the impact on this department?
• Keep asking questions to guide them as THEY take the lead, THEY take responsibility.
• Praise their outcome and efforts.

It takes an investment of your time, but the investment is all up front and you are rewarded with an engaged, decisive and responsible team member. Using your influence and leadership, you are building stronger and better teams and individuals.

Surely that is worth the investment?