This message is for leaders. This will be clear, concise, and direct.
AT BTL, we believe that transformational leaders ask a ton of questions. Curious ones. Questions that demonstrate the leaders commitment to learn, to understand the team, and to listen to all sorts of ideas. We want our clients to develop a vast array of questions. AND…
We want our clients to lead with this question more than ANY other. We want this question to be their most frequent. This question isn’t “loaded.” It’s a classic example of clear, concise, and direct. Here it is…
How can I help you?
Ask this question habitually. Ask this question to top performers, to ones in the middle, and to ones that drive you crazy. Ask this question with a child like curiosity. Ask this question with pen and paper in hand. Take a moment and write what you hear and then play it back to your team member. Rewrite as required.
Make a decision. A decision is only a decision when there is ACTION.
ACT.
Make some decisions on your own, some with the team, and some with outside council. Make some that are popular, some that are fun, some that make sense and some that don’t. Make some that are tough. AND, always try to be FAIR.
Communicate your decision. Over and over again. Close the loop with the team. Do not leave them hanging or wondering what happened. Tell them how you will help them if that’s what you decided. Tell them why you will not, if that’s the case. Take the hard questions and invite even harder ones.
LEARN.
Any leader worth following is a master at the ART of the question. They have developed their own favorites, their own style and their own discipline. AND, they lead the team in “assists.” Not “once in awhile.” Not “when they feel like it.” Not “when it’s convenient.” Not “when the quarter ended right.”
Transformational leaders lead the team in assists day in and day out.
Hey leader, what’s your leading question?
What’s your most frequent demand?
Now, go ask your team…
AND, take notice of how often you hear, “Thanks for asking…”
BUILT TO LEAD 