|
May 2013 Issue #153 |
||
|
Greetings, Questions, questions, questions. Some are necessary, others are not. The fact is, many people use them to avoid the hard work of thinking things through for themselves. Scroll to read or click here to hear how you can stop the parade of questions from strolling through your office (2 minutes, 19 seconds).
|
||
|
To your success! Managing Director |
|
|
Do You Have a Parade in Your Office? Do you know what I mean? The constant flow of people who wander, or sometimes walk with a purpose, into your office to ask for specific instructions? "What do I do next?" one asks. "I know you told me what to do," another says, "but I need more specifics." "Maybe we should collaborate on this project since you know what to do," says a third. "Why did we hire some of these people," you wonder, "if they want me to do all the thinking? I’m never going to get my own work done with all these questions." So what to do? Allow me to suggest three solutions: First, throw it back to them. Just because they ask you what to do doesn’t mean you have to give them an answer. I know that sometimes it’s just easier, but that invites abuse your time. Instead ask them, "What do you think you should do?" Then wait . . . a while. You may see a momentary look of panic in their eyes, or frustration, or bewilderment. But silence is a powerful thing. When feeling pressured, everyone will come up with an idea. Unless it is totally off the mark, you should say, "Good, that’s a start. What comes next?" Do this a few times and pretty much everybody will catch on. The few who don’t shouldn’t be working for you. But that’s a different discussion. Second, try think-alouds. When presented with a problem, say, "How about you think it through out loud in front of me." Than watch what happens. They might be hesitant at first, especially in front of the boss. No one wants to look dumb. But this is not about that and you can reassure then that you simply want them to become a more independent thinker. As with the first strategy, they’ll catch on after a few experiences with this. Finally, draw a line in the sand. Many of those coming into the workforce have an eighteen to twenty-two year history of asking endless questions and having the answers given to them. Let them know that this is not acceptable in your workplace. Given the opportunity and a few weeks or months, they’ll all develop the capacity and courage to think things through on their own. You’re not doing them any favors by continuing to enable them. |
||
|
If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. |
||
