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"The
actions of a leader are the best interpreters of their thoughts."
-Author
unknown
"Again
and again, the impossible problem is solved when we see that the
problem is only a tough decision waiting to be made."
-Robert Schuller
"A
Leader is a dealer in hope."
-Napoleon Bonaparte
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Joy Humphrey
Managing Partner
Western Region
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Volume
304
"Do
you ever have staff or colleagues that bring problems or issues
to you to resolve, rather than solving it themselves?"
"In leading
others, here are some good coaching questions to help develop
them as well as free up your time for your own responsibilities."
- Joy |
The
Top 10 Questions to Help Managers "Refuse the Monkey"
The old school of management (Theory
x) says the manager is the expert. As such, it is his/her job
to address a problem by telling the employee how something should
be done, or should have been done. The problem (the monkey) is
handed to the manager, and he/she accepts it (after all, he/she
is the expert). The employee never owns the problem. Not owning
it, he/she can never effectively deal with it and never learns
how to deal with future challenges.
Here are 10 questions to
help your charges take responsibility for making corrections and
at the same time teach them how to deal with future challenges.
1. What happened ?
Or what's happening ? Remain silent
and objective, giving them time to articulate what happened. Be
sure everyone is clear about what did happen or is happening.
2. What do you see as the consequences
?
Sure, you may already know. But
get them to think about it and come up with what they see as the
consequences. Better from them than you.
3. Anything else ?
Don't be impatient for answers.
Help them think it through thoroughly.
4. What are your (our) options here?
Don't let them off
the hook with "I don't know." Let them think about the options.
There are nearly always more than one... sometimes several, even
if some of them are not good ones.
5. Which of these do you feel would be
best ?
Narrow it down.
6. Why do you feel that way ?
Get them to articulate why they believe it to
be the best course. Remember, to talk about it requires them to
think it through.
7. What roadblocks do you foresee
with this plan ?
If any are likely, it is better to be prepared.
8. When will you start ?
Commitment. (If "next week," then why not tomorrow?)
9. How can I support you ?
And be ready to do just that in whatever way you
can.
10. What resources do you need
to get this done ?
One way to support them is to make sure they have
the "tools" they need to get the job done.
Joy Humphrey
Managing
Partner Western Region with
Excel Group Development
a Performance Solutions firm that assists organizations in enhancing
management and team effectiveness. She can be reached indirectly
by emailing our admin
group. Visit them at www.ExcelGroupWorks.com
This piece was originally submitted by Bob Bone,
Creative Business Coaching, who can be reached at Bob@BobBone.com,
or visited on the web at www.bobbone.com
Copyright 2003 CoachVille -
© Rights Reserved 2004
Excel Group Development Services Inc. Feel free to forward this
article in its entirety with copyright to any colleagues
or associates as you wish to be used without profit.
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