“Sometimes, when I ask them a question, I just get a blank stare,” complained Emily. “They look at me with lizard eyes.” We had been talking about getting more participation in her team meetings.

“So, you ask a question and get no response? Why do you think that happens?” I asked.

“I don’t know. No, they don’t know. It’s like maybe there is something in there, but I just can’t get it out.”

“Let’s start with that,” I replied. “Let’s assume there is something in there and it is our job, as the manager, to get it out. We need to prime the pump.”

“What do you mean?” Emily sat up straight, much more attentive.

“Whenever you pose a question to your team, especially a difficult question, you need to prime the pump. Provide some time for people to jot their thoughts down on a piece of paper. Even thirty seconds will dramatically improve the quality of their ideas. These written notes prime the pump with ideas that will now come flowing out.” -TF

P.S.
We will be taking an extended holiday this Thanksgiving week. Don’t eat too much. Hug your family. We will see you back here on Monday.