Build a Team That Makes Great Decisions Without You
Every time you give your employees the answer, you might be teaching them to stop thinking for themselves.
Yesterday on Linkedin, I asked what you would do if your best employee made a decision you completely disagreed with. After 25 years of officiating basketball and working with leaders, I've learned that developing great decision-makers starts with asking better questions, not always having the answers.
🏀 1. Ask Before You Tell
When an employee makes a decision you disagree with, resist the urge to immediately correct them. Instead, ask, "Walk me through your thinking."
Real-Life Example:
A sales rep offers a discount you wouldn't have approved. Rather than saying, "You shouldn't have done that," ask, "What were you trying to accomplish, and what other options did you consider?"
🏀 2. Stop Being the Answer Department
If every problem ends up on your desk, you might be part of the problem. Challenge employees to come to you with possible solutions, not just questions.
Real-Life Example:
An employee asks how to handle an unhappy customer. Instead of telling them what to do, ask, "What are two ways you could handle this, and which would you recommend?"
🏀 3. Coach the Thinking, Not Just the Result
A good decision doesn't always lead to a good outcome, and a bad decision can sometimes work out. Great leaders evaluate the reasoning behind the call, not just the final score.
Real-Life Example:
As a basketball official, I can make the right call and still have an entire arena disagree with me. The best feedback focuses on my positioning, what I saw, and whether I applied the rules correctly, not whether the crowd liked the call.
🏁 Final Whistle
Your job as a leader isn't to make every decision for your team. It's to develop people who have the confidence, judgment, and accountability to make great decisions when you're not in the room.
🎯 Your 3 Action Items This Week
Ask: Replace one instruction with a question.
Challenge: Have employees recommend a solution before asking for yours.
Coach: Discuss the thinking behind a decision, not just the result.
Here's my question for you: Are you building a team that can make decisions without you, or one that can't make decisions until they talk to you?
Go MAKE THE CALL!
David
Interested in bringing this message to your next conference or workshop? Let's connect. https://thedavidposner.com/connect
David M. Posner, MBA , founder of 3 Point Care Consulting is a highly experienced Leadership Consultant and a nationally recognized speaker. With over two decades of expertise in the leading companies, David has been instrumental in providing valuable insights and innovative solutions to address any industry's pressing challenges.
Learn more visit: www.TheDavidPosner.com
