The face you’re going to make when you read the next sentence is the face everyone makes when they read the next sentence.
You will know clarity is high on your team when people start telling you “NO.”
I get it. As leaders we aren’t always hoping and praying to hear our people tell us “no,” but we should be.
Here’s why:
When clarity is high, everyone is so sure of what the team is trying to accomplish – and how their efforts contribute to that outcome – that they are instantly aware when a directive is pulling them in the wrong direction.
“No,” or at least “why,” is an indication that your people completely understand what DONE looks like and are keenly aware when a side quest is competing with that outcome.
“No” is an indication that you need to rethink your directive, or update the context for your team.
Sometimes you’ll need to find a way to block for your team so they can run for the endzone.
“You’re right. This isn’t helping us reach our desired outcome. I’m going to find a way to get this off your plate…”
But sometimes the side quest is necessary. Sometimes the interruption to their regularly scheduled clarity is unavoidable.
In these cases, it’s your job as a leader to offer a new version of the Puzzle Box Clarity they are currently working from.
“You’re right. This probably seems confusing given what we’ve agreed is our desired outcome. Here’s why we need to shift gears…”
TRY THIS: Ask your people the following question and see what comes up: “What are you being asked to do that doesn’t align with our goals?”
This is a fact-finding mission. Don’t feel compelled to solve every bit of confusion in real time.
Take some time to thoughtfully consider the feedback and determine where you need to update clarity, where you need to rethink the work at hand, and where you need to negotiate with your own leaders.
My free PDF, “The 5 Secrets of Impossibly Effective Teams,” will show you the simple leadership moves that help teams unlock their full potential and deliver outsized results, without burning out. Grab your copy now at geoffwelch.com/secrets