Foster Team Collaboration

The more experienced a manager gains in his / her career, they tend to think they've mastered everything, they've got answers for everything, and they know it all. There are several times in my career history where there was a productivity problem, an employee's actions or a product problem, or some issue at all, that I confronted my reporting boss with a suggestion that would get me off like a fly buzzing around his ear. 

The reaction will be "just do as I ask" with a smile. I used to get frustrated and think this is a bookish solution, even if there are conditions where it might be a solution, but if the problem persists, then the answer did not work. We 're not here to stick a bandage on an issue that we're here to solve and make it work.

I used to think that he didn't know the golden rule of Henry Ford, "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always had." He or she doesn't know that, but in their minds, they think the little newborn baby suckling what you'd know about these things — learn from the "me" master.

xperience demonstrates that there have been several occasions where the chief never listens to the councils of the subordinates and eventually endangers the company. Leading by example is a golden rule, but the leader can have a more effective council with others. We know the famous quote from Aesop, "Together we stand, divided we fall," that the leader will be much stronger if the rest of the team is solid. Few main items will increase the team's contribution to efficiency and innovation.

Listen and reason with the subordinates:

When you listen and reason with the people with suggestions, first, it helps you understand why they are suggesting. Second, it gives them a chance to know why the idea was accepted or rejected. Listen to all of them before you jump into conclusions or your thoughts.

Genuine, consistent, and responsive:

If someone comes to you with suggestions or ideas, be concise and straight. Don't beat around the bush, don't give up false hopes, or be like a stone. Convey your thoughts so that they can understand what you think they can't imagine your conclusion. Always be consistent and treat all equally.

Walk the talk:

Don't say anything to them and do something about it. This leads to confusion and sends out a wrong message.

Give credit:

Recognize their ideas if they are right and give credit to their beliefs. Recognize their views publicly, which promotes team unification and improvement. Don't embarrass them, either openly or privately. If it's not a good idea or a good suggestion. Please don't talk about how dumb they were to suggest it to others. That will contribute to the fear of being ridiculed so that no one can come forward with ideas or suggestions for change.

Discussion:

Please open the floor for debate before you can settle and finish. If others are addressed, listen carefully and then explain what they mentioned with their names so that everybody can recall.