Coach Talk: One Small Thing

Bob Craig

One of the things that can get even the best leader into trouble is one small thought: ‘If my people need something from me or don’t understand something, they will ask.’

Even if people compliment you for being approachable, you still hold a title of authority. They  might not feel comfortable letting you know they aren’t smart enough to figure something out. They might have a history of other bosses belittling them for not knowing everything.

How do you get around those concerns: It’s very simple. Your employees will appreciate you asking, “What can I do to help you? Is there any support you need?” and when you get the opportunity (keep it short) share stories about what you learned from your mistakes so they know it’s okay to be imperfect.