Fight ' Group Think' & encourage your direct reports to speak up and be frank

 

OCTOBER 10, 2011

Encourage Push Back

Deference to authority is deeply engrained in most of us. As a leader you need to fight it in your direct reports. If people automatically defer to your judgment, you may miss out on critical feedback !  (1)  Make it easy for people to speak up, and remember to actively ask for their opinions. When talking about projects give some initial thoughts, but then ask for help fleshing out ideas. (2)  Recognize people who speak up and reward those who challenge you. (3) Most importantly, try not to react immediately if you start to feel threatened, or you risk shutting down the discussion.

Today's Management Tip was adapted from "The Dangers of Deference" by Ron Ashkenas.