Leader's Challenge - Change your language- Stop Telling. Start Asking.

Empowered teams self organize around a shared objective, and optimize themselves around achieving it. That all starts with team members who feel empowered, and frankly... that starts with you! 

“I want you actively to train your people on how to think for themselves” - Eiji Toyoda

"Think more like a gardener, less like a general." - General Stanley McChrystal

It's often faster to solve the problem instead of challenging people to stretch and grow. How you interact with your team tells them a lot about how empowered they are to self-organize and optimize. Every interaction is a chance for you to help a person feel empowered. The next time you interact with a team member, challenge them to decide... 

Are your team members...

...asking for permission? Instead of "Yes" or "No"... try:

• "What would you say if I was asking you for permission to do this?" 
• "How does this help you to achieve your team's shared objective?" 
• "How can I help you think through what you are considering? 

...coming to you with a problem?  Instead of "I'll go fix it"... try:

• "What’s stopping you from tackling this challenge?" 
• "How can I help you get over this hump?"
• "How would you like to approach this problem?" 

...asking what they should do?  Instead of "do this"... try:

• "What are some things you can try so you can figure this out?" 
• "What will help your team achieve their objectives or goal?" 
• "What options have you considered?"

Invest 10 minutes in yourself. Check out how a US Navy nuclear submarine captain created an environment where his crew felt so empowered, he didn't have to give orders anymore! 

Let your values show! We all win together.