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TRAIN AND THEN EMPOWER

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Education & Training with Performance Development Strategies

We can’t seem to find anyone who really wants to put in the effort. How many times have you heard that or maybe said that yourself?   I recently heard the statement from a broker that it is like chasing cats.  Or you may have heard, “Unless I tell them what to do nothing gets done. I can’t trust them to do it themselves.” When I recently heard this I asked the owner to give me an example.   “Well,” he said, “I have given them detailed directions of exactly what I want done and they don’t do it the way I told them.” “Wait a minute,” I said, “Didn’t you just say that you wanted them to take ownership?”  

If you want people to take ownership you must empower them to make decisions as to the best way to get things done.

If this is a source of frustration to you, here are two questions that you need to ask yourself. First of all, have you provided her with the tools to succeed? And have you clearly communicated the objectives and desired results?   Or have you given a lot of detailed directions without explaining to the employees the reasons why?

The first thing you need to do is let go and empower your team. Instead of giving assignments with specific instructions try something different. Here are two different approaches to giving an employee an assignment.

Let’s say that you have a project the needs to be completed. You could give your employee a complete set of instructions detailing what you want done, how you want it to be done, and specific steps you want taken to get it done. You follow up to see that each step is completed as prescribed. Although it is important to communicate with your employee this type of micromanaging is detrimental to your employee’s progress. He or she is thinking I don’t know the purpose here but this is what the boss I will do as I am told. This stifles creativity and discourages the employee from taking ownership. According to Gallop, one of the major motivators for employees is the belief that their opinions count. Did you ever ask for your employee’s opinion? Well, you would first have to tell them the mission and goal.

Now let’s try another approach. You tell your employee that you have a special project and that you would like her to take charge. You explain the nature and purpose of the project and the goal. You offer suggestions on the process but you stress that you are looking for her suggestions in the process. Let her know that she may make modifications as she sees fit as long as the general goals are met. You ask her if she has any question about the goals. You then ask her to come up with her action plan and her intermediate goals for obtaining the project goal. You let her know that you are depending on her for the final outcome and she has your support and confidence.

You have engaged your employee in the second approach. She knows that her opinion counts and that you are depending on her. You have given her ownership of the project and you can hold her accountable for results. Empowering your employees encourage them to take ownership and be accountable for their results.

 

Encouraging High Performance

Before you get discouraged with your staff’s performance make sure that your leadership encourages them to take ownership and be accountable.  For a similar post on our web site read EMPLOYEES WON'T TAKE OWNERSHIP UNLESS YOU LET GO.

Learn how we help you lead and develop your team.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

or call 914-953-4458.

 

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PDStrategies.net

Armonk, NY
Port Saint Lucie, FL

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Grant Schneider,
CBC, SPHR, SHRM-SCP*

*Certified Business Coach,
Senior Professional in Human Resources

President, Founder
& Leadership Coach

About Me

 

Comments (43)

Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I know as a person who is being asked to do something, I would much rather be given high level information and then be allowed to do it my way. And if I don't know how, I'd ask for more help. I never was a fan of being micromanaged.

 

 

Sep 12, 2017 03:00 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Will - thank you for that.

Gita - I appeciate your comments.

Betsy - thank you.  I am glad you find it helpful.

Corey - thank you for reading.

Debbie - change happen when people reach their potential

Jeff - this is something the younger group really wants along with mentoring.

Laura - when people are challenges it creates possibilities and openings.

Kat - that is right.  No one wants to be treated as if they can't think.

Sep 12, 2017 05:52 AM
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Grant Schneider "You explain the nature and purpose of the project and the goal. You offer suggestions on the process...Let her know that she may make modifications as she sees fit as long as the general goals are met. "

Right on target - and - re-blog!

Sep 12, 2017 05:54 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Excellent points, Grant.  Though we do still have to find those folks who are capable of doing these tasks without being micromanaged.

Sep 12, 2017 07:02 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

I have never liked being micromanaged. It is so frustrating and discouraging.

I love your second option as a way to be a good manager.

Thanks

Sep 12, 2017 09:13 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Tony and Suzanne - thank you very much.

Gabe - yes, good assessment tools help with that.

John - most if not all want option 2.

Sep 12, 2017 11:56 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Grant what an awesome message, indeed the Training part is the easier part, but then to empower the people you trained is the harder one....because you have to let go, Endre

Sep 12, 2017 11:35 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Endre - let go to grow.

Sep 13, 2017 05:42 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Grant - Excellent post and it's a great lesson. Micro-managing is probably the least efficient and productive way to get anything done.

Sep 13, 2017 03:36 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Congratulations, Grant, on your feature recognition. This is excellent advice to share.

Sep 14, 2017 06:51 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Dick - yes, you said it exactly

Roy - thank you.

Sep 14, 2017 08:27 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Grant- so glad this was featured. And the empowerment approach can work for so many business organizations. We see it all of the time when an employee can only do what is outlined for them and not go beyond to ensure a satisfied customer/client within broad guidelines. 

Sep 16, 2017 10:28 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Kathy - yes, I know that you know all about that.

Sep 16, 2017 04:42 PM
Stavrula "Sam" Crafa, RNC,GRI, CDPE, PSA
Future Home Realty - Seminole, FL
Providing the integrity and service you deserve.

Great post. I've been in leadership positions of one kind or another most of my entire life. The mark of a good leader is training your replacement. That involves empowering people and let them do what they need to do. Give them the task with some guild lines and what result is expected and then let them do it. Makes for much happier  and more accomplished people. 

Sep 16, 2017 08:17 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Sam - oh yes, you said it.  That does not get mentioned enough but everyone should be empowered to train their replacement without fear.

Sep 18, 2017 01:52 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

YES! Wonderful article and so spot-on, Grant! I think the hardest part is letting go - you know they can do the tasks at hand but, can they pinch-hit if needed? That's always my fear! The key is to empower them and let them soar! I struggle with that, as I've said before but, am getting better at it...okay, a LITTLE better at it! LOL

Happy Monday, Grant!

Sep 18, 2017 01:56 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Debe - one client, a partner at an accounting firm, called that delegating with confidence.  And that is because you are utltimately still responsible.

Sep 18, 2017 02:07 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Well, I need to delegate confidence CONFIDENLY, don't I?!  Haha

You know, in all other relationships, I'm the giving, never have-to-win-an-argument kind of person - not at all controlling. But, I've been told SO many times that I'm controlling since I've been in this business.  I think that's because I feel the need to be over-protective - not to the employee/agent but, the clients!! 

I'm still working on getting the old nurse out of me! LOL

Sep 18, 2017 02:13 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

The thing about people is there is no one best way to lead everyone so this method is  a great starting point. 

Sep 21, 2017 04:45 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Debe - well it is certainly a work in progress for most of us.

Gary - right on.  It is important to focus on the individual.

Sep 22, 2017 06:00 AM