Encouraging team members to lead...with recommendations!
Picture these scenarios:
An employee stops by their supervisor's office to inform them of a problem and asks the supervisor for solutions.
Or
A team member complains to his/her peers about an issue and that "senior management" needs to do something to address the issue.
Or
A senior manager gets frustrated when her team is not proactive, so she jumps right into problem solving mode whenever an issue arises.
These are common challenges facing leaders and teams as an unintended consequence of old school business hierarchy and a business culture that lacks a sense of empowerment. Such a culture creates a paradox where managers are frustrated with team members who rarely propose solutions while team members are frustrated because they do not have the authority to do things differently.
There is a better way. By requiring individuals to lead with recommendations, they begin to develop problem solving skills and feel a greater sense of initiative and ownership. Regardless of authority, individual contributors and teams should be asked and rewarded for binging ideas to the table, not just problems.
The next time a direct report or team member brings a problem to your attention, ask them if they have considered alternatives for fixing the problem. If so, thank them and recognize their initiative. If not, encourage them to return after they have consulted with some other team members and have some ideas on how to solve the issue. Obviously, it takes more than a few questions to create a new culture and/or behavior, But, it's a start. .
If you would like to learn more about our executive coaching services, please reach out to us so we can discuss how you can push problem solving and deeper into your organization to allow you to scale your business and grow. You and your team will find the work more fulfilling as well.