When coaching one of your high performers remember to focus on the why and let them figure out the best way forward – the how, if you will. High performers need crystal clarity around their leaders why and where so they can align accordingly. High performers want to know where we’re going and why it matters. When, as a leader, you sense a lack of crystal clarity around either of these, it’s your job to jump in and bring 20/20 kinda clarity. These kind of practices are short and super energizing.
Too many leaders invest too little time bringing clarity here. And, too many leaders invest too much time bringing their own how to the top performers performances. Yikes. High performers, remember, do NOT like to be told how to do something. High performers like to do things their way. Your job, assuming you’re leading high performers, is to use few words instructing your team how to get their stuff done. Your job is to make sure they understand why it matters, where we’re going, and leave the how to them.
Remember Moshe Dayan’s leadership in the 6 Day War. He led a team he deserved. We could use a few more teams like this team of Israeli’s. You see, Dayan created a team that thinks. These kinda teams, where everybody’s thinking, produce the best results because the time it takes them to act is shortened considerably. Build this kinda team, my friend.
Focus on why; leave the how to them. Ask them to keep you informed on how they’re doing and mid course correct accordingly. Make sense?
BUILT TO LEAD 