What Else? 3X
TRY THIS TIP TO ENGAGE EMPLOYEES IN PROBLEM SOLVING   

Problem Solving


As managers we know we are expected to engage employees
in problem solving.
We can't solve all the problems for them, right?
We know that in the long run it's not a good idea to dictate answers and orders. They'll never learn to work on their own. In this quest to engage employees we ask open-ended questions like:

  •  What ideas do you have?
  •  What options have you considered?
  •  What are your thoughts on that issue?
Have you ever asked an employee for their ideas or input and gotten a luke warm response? Have you heard these kind of answers to your attempts to engage the employee:
  •  "I don't know..."
  •  "I'm not really sure..."
  •  "Hmm...."
You may not always get a detailed, enthusiastic response to your first question of an employee. Yet, we often give up our quest to give the employee a chance to participate when they don't immediately jump in.

We might give the employee our own answers. We tell them what we think about the situation. In a word, we take over. And, in the course of this exchange, the employee is let off the hook for owning the issue and becomes more dependent on you, the manager, to solve workplace problems. It's not good for you or the employee when you don't allow them to contribute.

The solution? Some might call it patience. I call it, "What Else? Three Times." The next time you attempt to engage an employee in a problem solving conversation, don't give up after your first try. Whether they contribute a productive response or not, follow your initial question with "What Else?"

"What Else?" sends a message that you:
  • Are open to multiple ideas or options
  • Expect the employee to fully engage in the conversation and own the outcome
  • Leave the responsibility for the issue with the employee
  • Are not going to dictate or take over the problem solving
  • Trust the employee to find a suitable solution
In fact, when you're met with little enthusiasm from the employee, make it a practice to give the employee three opportunities to add their perspective. By asking "What Else?" three times, you give the employee time to think and you don't let them off the hook.

Other encouraging phrases will also work. Say things like:
  • What other ideas do you have?
  • Tell me more...
  • What has crossed your mind related to...?
The "What Else? 3X" rule is a reminder that if we are to fully engage others in our collective work, we need to make space for them to contribute. Don't rush them to your solution. Because when you always come up with the answers yourself, they'll wonder why you need them.
 
Complimentary Webinar
REDESIGNING YOUR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SYSTEM  

 Designing or Redesigning your Agency's Performance Evaluation System: Make it Meaningful, Significant, and Real

Date: January 24, 2011
11:00 a.m. to Noon MST

Today's public agencies are facing a call to action: perform or perish. Increasing public scrutiny is driving most agencies to look at how performance is managed. A well-designed performance evaluation system is a tangible step to creating a culture that values employee performance.

Employee performance management has been shown to be the primary driver of organizational effectiveness. Yet, according to a Towers Watson survey, only 30 percent of workers polled say their organization's performance management program does what it's supposed to: improve performance. What's more, only 19 percent say their employer's program helps poor performing workers improve.

Join us for this complimentary webinar to explore the essential elements of a well-crafted performance management system. We will answer the following critical questions:

� What is the purpose of a performance management system?

� How can the performance management system become more meaningful to employees and to the public agency?

� What significant elements must be included in an effective performance management system?

� What are the practical approaches to making the performance management system useful and impactful in your agency?

Real life examples from public agencies will be shared in this interactive, practical session.

 

New Webinar Series
PAINLESS PERFORMANCE CONVERSATIONS WEBINAR SERIES   

 
Live Webinars
This series of practical, tool-driven webinars is for public sector supervisors and managers at every level. If you work for a city, county, state or federal agency or a special district and you manage employees, you won't want to miss this series. Attend just one or all five! The Painless Performance Conversations Webinar Series is an affordable and efficient way to get quality management training. Rather than taking a full day away from work to attend a live workshop, you can pick up these critical tools right at your desk. Attend one, several, or all five-it's your choice! 

 

Want to learn more? Visit our website: www.ManagementEducationGroup.com.


Contest
Winner
ENGAGING EMPLOYEES WITH LIMITED RESOURCES

 
Congratulations Suzanne Thorson!
Congratulations to our December contest winner, Suzanne Thorson, who submitted her idea for recognizing employees with limited resources. Suzanne emails a gold star Star to employees who deserve to be recognized for a job well done. She documents the employee's accomplishment in the email and shares the recognition with others in the organization as well.

Great idea, Suzanne! For sharing her idea, Suzanne will receive a copy of Painless Performance Evaluations: A Practical Approach to Managing Day-to-Day Employee Performance.

Have an idea for engaging employees with limited resources? Submit your idea by January 20 and you might be next month's lucky winner. Email your ideas today!

 

Final Footnotes
NEWS & EVENTS FROM MANAGEMENT EDUCATION GROUP   

Marnie Green
Thanks for Reading!
Know someone who'd enjoy receiving our Monthly E-Tips? Please
forward the email to a friend. Have an idea for a future edition? I'd love to hear your suggestions.

For those of you who are new to us, Management Education Group, Inc. provides expert consultation in performance evaluation system design and implementation. Want to learn more? Visit our new website: www.ManagementEducationGroup.com.

Sincerely,

Marnie Green, IPMA-CP
Principal Consultant

Jan 2011 | Highlights
What Else? 3X
Complimentary Webinar
New Webinar Series
Contest Winner
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