If Only It Was as Easy as Pie…

 

“It’s as easy as pie.”

Really?

The only thing easy about pie is eating it, not making it. If you’ve made a pie, you know that flaky, melt in your mouth crust is an art.

Effective leaders harness “open-ended questions” to make communication with those they lead “as easy as pie.” They’ve broken the “telling habit.”  Breaking that habit requires commitment and time.

It takes time

According to Lynn Petrak in Progressive Grocer, frozen pies account for $356 million in annual sales. Pillsbury’s happy to make your pie dough. But bragging is reserved for the “made from scratch” pie-maker.  It takes time.  It’s often messy … that’s art.

Here are five reasons that using open-ended questions is so hard:

• Habit – “Telling” is your historical approach and you believe it works; it got you this far, right?
• Speed – Why go to all that effort? Just cut to the chase.
• Experience – You already know the answers.
• Emotion – When frustrated, tell ‘em how it’s going to be!
• Authority – “Because I said so. I’m the boss … and I’m right.”

The open-ended question invites everyone to stop and think. Yeah! The open-ended question is a request for information, perspective, and feedback — truth.

Now, enjoy your pie

What happens when someone you respect asks for your opinion on something that matters?

Open-ended questions improve relationships. More work gets done in the midst of strong connections.

Here are five benefits; notice how open-ended questions:

1. Demonstrate honor – when you seek their input, they feel respected and valued
2. Create space – slow the conversation down, engage in dialogue
3. Encourage thinking – avoid either/or positions; “I hadn’t thought of that…”
4. Cultivate collaboration – increase buy-in as people feel heard
5. Improve performance – when people feel honored, gain objectivity, and are provided space to think it’s a good day

Truth moves you toward future success, high performance, self-managed teams and leaders. Delicious.

Learn to ask open-ended questions… enjoy delicious results. It’s as easy as pie.

Now, how would you like yours … Pie a la Mode?

Here’s to your Next Level,

Steve

Ready to dig deeper?

Next Generation Leaders – Tulsa

A Team-Based Coaching Experience

 

You (or someone you know) can reap the benefits of Next Generation Leaders’ team-based coaching program.

• Accelerate your career growth.
• Expand your personal influence.
• Reduce conflict, improve employee performance and productivity…

Register by October 23rd and save $250 on your investment. Instead of paying $1000 pay $750 when you register for the October team-based coaching experience. It’s that simple.

Quick facts: 

Next Generation Leaders – Tulsa:  Level I

October 29 – November 5, 12, and 19

8:00 – 9:30 a.m.

One Memorial Place

63rd & Memorial, Suite 300

Get more details on Team-Based Coaching.

If you’re ready to register, go to the registration page.

Whether you invest in yourself or this is for a direct report, new manager, high potential, colleague, family member or friend, its time.

 

Photo credit: Nathalie Babineau-Griffiths via Compfight