As a leader are you involving others in decisions that affect their lives and careers? You are responsible to help others achieve results. Do you spend time to achieve agreement on goals and expectations, or do you dictate? Some of you may feel “I am the boss I have the right to tell people what to do” and that is technically correct but not very motivating. Instead, involve them, to help them define their success.
Help Others Achieve Results
Consider how the following approaches allow others to feel in control of their behaviours and contribute to their successes:
Restriction
When we try to control people, they tend to resist. The more we push, the greater the resistance. This causes reactance, a psychological phenomenon that leaves individuals feeling resentful that their freedom is restricted. So, reduce this unproductive state by involving individuals in mutually setting expectations and obtaining agreement on the results.
Choice
Delegate achieving the result and then allow those responsible to choose the path to get to it. If, as a leader, you tend to micromanage, ensure agreement on how others will communicate with you. Keeping you in the loop will help to reduce interference.
Ask, don’t tell
Ask questions, because it helps them define their own commitments and solve their own problems. So, these questions should be open-ended versus directed: “What do you feel would be the next best step?” or “Is this document ready to send out to the client?” Directed questions are often just disguised telling: “If you did this, would that work?”
Listen
When questions are asked, effective open-minded listening needs to happen. Use the Duct Tape Rule. Ask the question and then imagine putting duct tape over your mouth so you cannot speak until the other person has finished talking. Be empathic and seek to understand their perspective.
Coach
Coach regularly and focus on the person. Become skilled in the four key elements of coaching:
- Commitment – share with them the organizational goals and help them determine how they can contribute to those goals.
- Guidance – provide training and knowledge sharing when required.
- Support – provide coaching and be willing to answer questions.
- Accountability – ensure mutual accountability is in place.
Helping others to define and take responsibility for their own success will create an environment of collaboration and build your organization’s results.
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