Play Dumb to Manage Well
LET EMPLOYEES FIND THE SOLUTION

If you are like most managers, you earned your position by being really good at your job. You know how to solve the common problems your employees face, and you are expected to get the job done. As a result, when an employee is struggling, it's easy to tell them what to do to solve the problem. 


 Stop doing that!

When you tell an employee the obvious solution, you're doing the thinking for them. Sure, you may get the problem solved more quickly, but every time you do, you teach the employee to depend on you for answers. You are conditioning them to come back, again and again, rather than identifying solutions on their own.

You've heard the proverbial saying, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." The same principle applies to managing employees. Your job as the manager is to teach employees how to fish.

Instead of automatically giving the answer, stop and play dumb.

 

 

Painless Performance Conversations
Training System

NOW AVAILABLE!
 
Every manager initiates performance conversations with employees. Few are successful without a plan and without using the tools included in Painless Performance Conversations. The Painless Performance Conversations Training System gives you the flexibility to introduce these powerful ideas in a way that works for you.
 
Implement the practical ideas and tools contained in Painless Performance Conversations without having to bring Marnie on-site. No travel costs, no juggling of schedules, this tool allows you to deliver the Painless Performance Conversations material shared with organizations across the country, on your own time and in your own way. 
  • Detailed facilitator guide
  • Participant workbook
  • Editable PowerPoint slides
  • Application and Reflection Guide
  • Demonstration videos
Call us or email today to discuss how you can begin to facilitate more Painless Performance Conversations in your organization.
 

Final Footnotes
NEWS & EVENTS FROM MARNIE

I'm proud to be the keynote speaker at this month's CUPA-HR Utah Chapter annual conference on May 11th in Orem, Utah.  "Let's Talk" is the theme, and we're going to explore how to use conversation to foster greater levels of employee engagement.  

Next month I'll be in Sedona, Arizona at the School Nutrition Industry Conference, sponsored by the School Nutrition Association of Arizona. As the featured speaker, we'll explore how leaders can use conversation to tackle the challenges, opportunities, and changes in this particular industry.
 
As always, if there is anything I can do to support your performance management efforts, just give me a call at 480-705-9394 or shoot me an email
MEG Signature 
Marnie E. Green, CSP, IPMA-CP
Principal Consultant

 

 

May 2015
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From Our Clients 
 
"Marnie was just what we needed! So many professional speakers get caught in the trap of doing too much speaking. Marnie stepped back to let our group interact and teach each other. She also had taken the time to study up on our group beforehand, which got their buy in right away. She got rave reviews from our participants and we're already planning our next engagement with her." 
---Jodi Hoynoski,
Executive Director, Holstein Foundation
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