Do you dictate strict terms of engagement to achieve your goals? Or do you design a framework for working together that includes the team?

Naveed Siddiqi – an insightful Future of Work expert – asked these questions recently. He was writing about how companies are dealing with returning to the office. A super insight when we see many top-down edicts. Think of X, Goldman Sachs, and Zoom, to name a few.

I believe the choice between dictating and designing to all aspects of work – and maybe life.

After years of experience consulting, I noticed that many senior leaders dictated – especially hard-charging entrepreneurs which made some sense. Because most leaders are experts in their lane, this played a large part in their success.

Unfortunately, this can translate to believing that they know best in every aspect of the business.

So even when the chiefs have good instincts and create workable plans, dictating how they get down may not lead to success. The team will not feel empowered without input into the process.

Creating a framework of success takes more work, and the short-term outcome may be less certain.

But success is more likely when you have team buy-in.

There are many ways to go. A wise mentor suggested trying the following – after deciding on the critical team members:

  1. Start with clearly defining your goal.
  2. Outline your non-negotiables.
  3. Define success.
  4. Collaborate to get team buy-in.
  5. Turn them loose.

It might not be easy.

Consider Airforce General C. Q. Brown’s mantra for success: Delegate. Elevate. Tolerate.

  • Delegate – Other people have ideas that often lead to better solutions. And it frees you to focus on what you do best.
  • Elevate – It empowers people and encourages them to work more creatively.
  • Tolerate – The team will get to success. Probably not the way you would have.

In changing times, how willing are you to try new paths to success?

If you’d like to chat about that, Contact Us.