It may seem counterintuitive, but in 2022 we are encouraging progressive leaders to give less direction.
It may seem like now more than ever, our teams need clear directions: do this and do it this way. With the world in constant flux, it makes sense that people are craving checklists and very specific how-to’s.
But that’s just not how the brain really wants to work. It doesn’t want to receive information in some one-way street of top-down leadership; it wants to exchange information.
Here is what I know to be true, what you know to be true, and how this cross-pollination of information can solve problems, break through markets, and accelerate growth.
When we focus on the exchange—not the direction—of information, things get downright collaborative, the very lifeblood of a high-performing team.
So, the next time you’re tempted to lead with the old paint-by-numbers methodology, we encourage you to remember the power of exchange.
🧐 Ask more questions and give less directions.
🤝 Discover more perspectives and collaborate more on objectives.
🦾 Lead with more curiosity and get less mediocrity.
Do you have a success story from when you intentionally gave less direction? Connect here and let us know. We’d love to hear how you kicked that old leadership value to the curb and elevated exchange.
For progressive businesses and visionary organizations who need to foster an environment of learning, experimentation, and innovation, 304 delivers coaching, consulting, and custom programs that positively shape company cultures, impact and empower employees, and builds beautiful businesses. See more talent strategy stuff on YouTube.