HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT PROBLEMS OR POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS?
Bringing up problems without solutions can have others seeing you as negative, and foster a perception that you are not a strong leader or without leadership potential.
How do you react when you see or uncover issues at work?
What do you do when you realize there are potential problems on the horizon that perhaps you can see very clearly and others seem unaware of?
It is important to consider the way you deliver the information.
Here are some suggestions:
- Keep blame away from the conversation and remain neutral. Ensure that you are not inferring blame and offer a solution.
- Don’t let your emotions drive the conversation. It is ok to be passionate and care a lot about your work but don’t let your emotions drive the conversation.
- Think about the audience and the best way to deliver your message. What do you know about them, what is important to them? Use a mental chalkboard and write the problem on the left and try to come up with 3 solutions on the right within 90 seconds. Build from there and position your conversation according to your audience.
- State the issue clearly as well as the consequences and the impact on the business as you see it. You may be able to clearly see the forest through the trees however others may not. Share your viewpoint and describe the risks you are seeing in a way that relates to their role.
- Leave your ego out of it. Your job is to let management know about the issue and the impact if not addressed. If it’s not important at this time, you need to let it go. When the issue rises again, you will be more than willing to help the organization deal with it.
- It is important to contribute the best of who you are in an authentic way. Communicating the issues you see in the workplace is valuable, remember to do so in a clear and positive manner to establish and support your reputation as a leader.
Maintain momentum and make it a great day!
