Happy June!
To support you in being F.I.R.S.T. (Future-Ready. Innovative. Relevant. Strategic. Trusted.), here’s 1 tip and 1 quote.
The F.I.R.S.T. Tip
Am I being hard on the issue and soft on the person?
Being hard on the problem and soft on people is an important leadership skill to master.
This approach is crucial for building a high-performing and motivated team. Yet, many leaders do the opposite and tackle issues by being hard on the person, leading to demotivation, eroded trust, and strained relationships, ultimately creating more long-term issues than solutions.
In his seminal book, “Boundaries for Leaders,” Henry Cloud shares that leaders who foster a culture of high accountability while maintaining positive relationships create an environment where everyone feels supported and motivated to work towards shared goals.
Here’s a quick guide to getting it right:
Separate the Person from the Problem: When tackling a problem, focus on the issue, not the individual. Provide clear, objective feedback on the problem and avoid personal criticisms. To help you do that, follow this simple 3-question feedback framework that we share in our leadership workshops:
- What are you doing well?
- What are you doing differently?
- What else (new) can you do?
Foster a High Accountability Culture: Hold everyone accountable, but ensure they feel valued and supported. A simple question like, “How would you like me to support you?” or “What do you need from me to help you achieve your goals?” can go a long way.
Clarify your intentions before the conversation: Before entering into the conversation, ensure you are clear about these 3 things:
- The objective of the conversation: What is the best outcome for everyone involved?
- The clarity you need to provide to the person⁄s and the clarity you need from them.
- The relationship: How will the relationship with the person⁄s look at the end of the conversation?
By following these steps, you’ll build a motivated, high-performing team ready to tackle any challenge. Remember, great leadership isn’t just about solving problems — it’s about inspiring and nurturing your people.
F.I.R.S.T. Tip: Tackle the problem, not the person, to foster trust and high performance.
The F.I.R.S.T. Quote
