Janet was not satisfied. For the past two weeks, we had been working to get her team to participate more in problem solving meetings. Janet was warming up to the idea that the difficulty wasn’t with her team. Improvement was in Janet’s court. “Why can’t I get more participation?” she asked.

“Some say that it is the fear of disagreeing with the boss, but I find it is a more universal fear. It is the fear of floating an idea that carries the possibility of rejection.”

I let that sink in a moment. “As a Manager, if you want to promote deeper, richer, more truthful conversations in your team, try this. As ideas are contributed, create a follow-up comment that expands the idea, creates an insight to that idea or connects the idea to a higher purpose, goal or solution. Breathe life into every contribution.”

Two weeks later, I overheard one of Janet’s team members talking at the water cooler. “Our meetings have really gotten better. Janet makes all of our ideas sound so smart.”

Ideas really are smart when you can connect them to a purpose, a goal or a solution. -TF

P.S. We are beginning to receive a number of comments posted to the blog. I know many of you are get the blog via email or by a forwarded email. If you would like to read some of the comments, you can follow the link to Blog Home. Management Skills Blog is actually a website where you can respond to any posting that jams your jelly.