Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. |
January 20, 2014 New Leaders Should Ask Questions, Not Answer Them Too many new leaders believe they're expected to know answers without input or guidance, but many of the best insights on how to fix a company lie with employees further down the org chart. Creating a trusting, honest dialogue with these key personnel should be every new leader's top priority. Meet with as many individual contributors as you can, as soon as you can. Ask simple but effective open-ended questions: "If you were put into my role tomorrow, what are the first three things you'd do and why?" "What are the three biggest barriers to our success, and what are our three biggest opportunities?" Listen intently and take notes. Really great ideas can emerge from these meetings — along with some really mediocre ones — and your intent listening will show your employees that you respect their expertise. Adapted from "The Best Way for New Leaders to Build Trust" by Jim Dougherty. |
PREVIOUS TIPS |
FEATURED PRODUCTThe First 90 Days App for iPhone and AndroidMAKE YOUR NEXT CAREER TRANSITION A SUCCESS.Download The First 90 Days App today to help you stay ahead of the game. Download on the App StoreDownload on Google Play |
FEATURED PRODUCTHBR Guide to Getting the Mentoring You NeedHBR Press BookFind the right person to help supercharge your career. Whether you're eyeing a specific leadership role, hoping to advance your skills, or simply looking to broaden your professional network, you need to find someone who can help. Wait for a senior manager to come looking for you—and you'll probably be waiting forever. Instead, you need to find the mentoring that will help you achieve your goals. Managed correctly, mentoring is a powerful and efficient tool for moving up. The HBR Guide to Getting the Mentoring You Need will help you get it right. Buy Now |
Copyright © 2013 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing 60 Harvard Way Boston, MA 02163 CUSTOMER SERVICE: 800-545-7685 (US/Canada) 1-617-783-7600 (outside the U.S. and Canada) |
No comments:
Post a Comment