By Amy Beth Miller, editor of The Organized Executive
Do you ask your team members for their opinions and advice, or are you seeking only their endorsement of your ideas and decisions?
If you express your own opinion first, team members may feel that they can’t disagree with you. Their only option is to say “Great idea, boss!” Soon you’ll have a team that behaves like the subjects in “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” You may never hear the truth, unless a new employee comes aboard and speaks out like the child in the story.
If you want honesty, adopt the habit of listening before you state your opinion. Instead of starting a conversation with “I think we should …” ask your team members “What do you think?” Withhold your opinion until you have heard theirs. They just might change your mind.
How do you solicit advice from team members?
Filed under: Dos and Don'ts, Leadership Tagged: | communication, listening, new supervisor skills, sharing opinions, workplace behavior
