As The Boss, you’re expected to know a lot of things. Your day probably begins with people asking you questions and wanting approval for something. I’m sure you’re probably honored by this since it means people finally respect you but I’d like you to consider one thing:
The answers others seek may not be expressed properly in their question. Rather than give an answer, it might be better to ask more questions.
Take a look at the following examples:
Scenario #1:
- Employee: “Boss, do you have a minute?”
- Boss: “Sure”
- Employee: “I need to talk to you about getting a pay raise”
- Boss:“No.”
Scenario #2:
- Employee: “Boss, do you have a minute?”
- Boss: “Sure”
- Employee: “I need to talk to you about getting a pay raise”
- Boss:“Hmmm. Can you help me understand what led to this request?”
- Employee:“Well I can always use the money, but I really feel like nobody appreciates my efforts around here.”
- Boss: “I understand about money. How do you think the raise will make you feel more appreciated?”
- Employee: “Well I think I’ll feel more appreciated if I’m paid more.”
- Boss: “It sounds like more money would be nice in your pocket. I get that. I also know that all salary increases are on hold for the next six month. But it sounds like it’s really important for you to feel noticed and appreciated.
- Employee:“Yes”
- Boss:“What if we were to sit down and look at all of your accomplishments over the past year? Then maybe take a look at some things you think would make a big impact here in the department and the company. What if we worked together on getting one of your ideas pushed up in the company and you got the credit?
- Employee:“Would you do that?”
- Boss:“Yes. Tell me how that would make you feel.”
- Employee:“It would tell me that you respect me and my ideas.”
- Boss:“Ok, let’s start tomorrow morning.”
- Employee:“Hey how about that raise?”
- Boss:“Don’t push your luck” (not always a happy ending here…)
The idea here is to ask better questions. The first initial answer was correct. There is no money for raises right now. But if you dismiss the raise question as simply about money, you’ve missed the point. However if you choose to ask good questions (avoiding a WHY question if at all possible) you can help an employee drill down to the real issue. In this case, it was also about feeling important and respected. Since some people aren’t super reflective, you can help them be reflective by giving them some space to reflect.
Anyone can use their positional power as The Boss to get things done, but a GREAT Boss uses GREAT questions to help others realize and articulate what’s most important. So maybe this week, start asking more and better questions.
What do you think?
How do you feel about that?
What would taking this approach lead to?
How do you think this technique could make your team more successful?
What questions would be the best ones to start with?
