Ask Coach: How Do I Empower My Team To Solve Problems? (Part 4)
By Rich Anderson, executive coach with HTG Peer Groups
Q: How do I empower my team to make decisions on their own, look at the whole picture of the problem, and bring it to resolution?
Coach: In this series of posts, I presented three different perspectives to answer this question from one of my clients, a small business owner just like you. I called him Competent Eddie the Owner, or C.E.O. for short. I used three American T.V. icons to try to illustrate my points.
- Icon 1: Don’t Be Mighty Mouse
You might also title this: “What Have I Done to Erode Independent Decisions and Actions?”
Are you “swooping” in to “save the day” like Mighty Mouse unintentionally undermining your team and their independence?
- Icon 2: Don’t Be Carnac the Magnificent
You might also title this: “How Well Do You Understand Your Team?”
Rather than trying to find the answer through “divination” like Johnny Carson’s Carnac on the Tonight Show, have you taken reasonable steps to better understand your team through appropriate assessment and asking empowering questions?
- Icon 3: Be Like Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood
You might also title this: “Have You Clearly Defined the Box?”
Like Mr. Rogers, have you slowed down and scheduled planning time? Have you clearly defined the roles and independent decision making parameters for your team and explained your expectations? Like Mr. Rogers’ neighbors, does your team clearly understand their role and your expectations?
In my coaching sessions, my clients often come to me with a problem or a need that they identify in their team. Many times both the problem and the solution lie with C.E.O. If you are willing to be honest, you may discover that, like Competent Eddie the Owner, your own behavior patterns could be a contributing factor to your team’s lack of initiative in solving problems.
As you seek to really understand your team and what is blocking them, you may find being better understood yourself. If you clearly define roles, authority, and expectations, and abide by them yourself, you may find your team empowered and executing independently.
I recommend that you always begin problem solving with self-assessment questions like these: “How might I be a limiting factor for my team? How could I also be part of the solution?” You may find that the first step to empowering your team to problem solve and own the resolution is simple: taking a look in the mirror.
Rich Anderson is an executive coach with HTG Peer Groups where he is most energized by helping people around their priorities. He also presents leadership workshops and seminars including team personality and judgment assessments and training. Prior to his affiliation with HTG, Rich was a private practice attorney where his practice included advising small business owners from startup through succession, estate planning, and conflict resolution. Rich also served four terms in the Iowa Legislature. You can reach him at randerson@htgpeerpgroups.com.