I’ve been out of the office these past couple of days; Monday was a bank holiday for us in the UK, and Tuesday was my birthday, and I never work on my birthday. Thanks for all your best wishes – the power of social media strikes again.
Let let me know what you think of this next set of three conversation starters.
1. You have an issue you want to resolve:
Mindset
–Individuals are creative, resourceful and whole, and my role is to help them to become independent, critical thinkers.
Skill-set
–Ask the following questions:
*What’s the issue or opportunity that you want to focus on today?
*Where would you like to be with that by the end of our time together?
*How would you like me to be today? Supportive or challenging?
*What’s the current situation?
*What options are there?
*What are the costs/benefits of each option?
*Which is the best solution?
*How will you implement that?
*How can I support you?
Frequency and timing: whenever an individual raises an issue about their work tasks or relationships, their career, their work/life balance, change in the organization or at home
This conversation could brought by the individual to the Holding you accountable weekly conversation, or it could be standalone
2. Here’s some immediate feedback
Mindset
–My job is to grow the next generation of leaders in the organization. I fail if my team isn’t learning and growing every day. My personal growth is limited if my team isn’t learning how to do my job.
Skill-set
–Describe the situation
–Describe the observed behavior
–Explain the impact
–If it’s developmental feedback, explore the behavior that would be more appropriate for high performance
–Seek commitment from the individual about the way forward
–Follow up
Frequency and timing: as soon as you observe something, or at least integrated into the weekly Holding you accountable conversation
3. What feedback do you have for me?
Mindset
–I can always learn more about how to be a great leader.
Skill-set
–Ask:
*What should I stop, that hinders your performance?
*What can I start?
*What should I continue?
–Listen, write it down and say thank you
Frequency and timing: once a quarter
This conversation could be integrated into the weekly Holding you accountable conversation, at the point where you ask what support they need from you
So what feedback do you have for me?
