Storytime:
When I was little, Dad would frequently choose to not answer my myriad questions. I only now appreciate that this was not from laziness or (entirely) a desire to be a smart-alack. For example, I remember we were driving behind a big rig and I read the notice on the back of the truck out loud, “makes wide right turns”. I immediately asked, “Dad, why only right turns?” Instead of telling me why, he returned my question with one of his own. “Why do you think?”
My young self ran through a couple of suggestions “maybe the wheels are bigger on one side. Maybe they haven’t figured out right turns all the way yet.” (hey, I was a little kid). Dad responded with, “No, think it through…”
After a minute of silence, I proudly announced “the turns are the same! They just already have more room on the left.” Bingo!
Which leads to…
One of my New Year’s Resolutions as a business owner is to let people figure it out more- to ask more questions and allow people to come up with some possible solutions on their own- to be there as a learning aide more than an “instant answer machine”.
When an employee asks how to do something or handle a situation, it’s often easier for me to just tell them how I’d handle it and move on. But when I do that, I’m asking them to memorize my answer instead of encouraging them to employ critical thinking skills. I hire bright, dynamic people and when I take this easy road I cheat them and myself of an opportunity to grow and provide better value and services in the future.
I’ll be counting on them to help keep me on track on this one; as an eldest child I tend to be a little Type A, so I know I’ll need their help on this one.
What about you?
What are some of your resolutions, professional or personal? Any tips on how to make this resolution a reality?
xoxo, Kat
I’m sure your employees appreciate your confidence in them and their ability to work it out!
I am a teacher, and I was taught a strategy for this very thing last week! It’s called “question, question, hint.” When someone asks you a question, deliberately ask a question back to lead them to an answer. If he/she answers wrong or asks another question, respond with an additional question. If he/she still doesn’t get it, give a hint! It’s common sense, but somehow, when it has a name, it’s easier to remember to do it
I’ve been trying to make it a part of my routine, and I must say, it’s working beautifully!
Your post reminded me of something I “figured out” for myself last weekend. Friday, the 17th was my birthday, and I of course came into Muddy’s to get a Tomboy, my favorite cupcake. You normally have them every other week, and you had them 2 weeks before, so I assumed you’d have them on my birthday week. My mistake. I failed to remember that you would have some yummy special Valentine’s cupcakes instead. So I resigned to get some other cupcakes instead. Then I saw the Hank’s special, specifically in peanut butter, and immediately a GENIUS idea came to my mind! I would buy the peanut butter icing & a chocolate cupcake with another flavor of icing, and create my own Tomboy! That’s exactly what I did, and it was excellent! I actually wound up getting more of the yummy icing than normal, and I loved that! Also, one of your sweet employees gave me a free cupcake for my birthday, which made me love y’all even more (like that’s even possible)!! Just wanted to share, and say thanks for the cupcake! I’m leaving Memphis this summer and am alread mourning how much I’ll miss Muddy’s!!!