When you lead, disagreeing with others is a requirement. Making decisions, advocating for solutions, and carrying tough messages come with the job. Unfortunately, when we disagree we have been trained to tell people they are wrong before we tell them we are right. It seems only natural to do so. Telling people they are wrong before we tell them what is right seems logical as well: “You’re not looking at this the right way, let me explain it to you.” “You don’t believe that.” “You are mistaken.” “What you suggested isn’t realistic.” “That’s not the way it works, let me show you.”
Leadership is fundamentally an educational activity.
When people are coloring outside the lines the initial questions to ask is what they're working to accomplish and the reasoning behind why they did things the way they did.
If they're doing the wrong things for the right reason then more training on recognizing and correct execution is required.
If they're doing the right thing for the wrong reason (which is a huge morale issue), then education on the true value of the mission is appropriate.
If they're doing the right thing for the right reason in a way you never thought of before, then you'll have learned something new and they should be given the opportunity to teach others about their innovation.
If they're repeatedly making the same mistake or not working to standard - then maybe they need to be helped learn what skills they do have and where they'd be better applied.
Leadership is fundamentally an educational activity.
When people are coloring outside the lines the initial questions to ask is what they're working to accomplish and the reasoning behind why they did things the way they did.
If they're doing the wrong things for the right reason then more training on recognizing and correct execution is required.
If they're doing the right thing for the wrong reason (which is a huge morale issue), then education on the true value of the mission is appropriate.
If they're doing the right thing for the right reason in a way you never thought of before, then you'll have learned something new and they should be given the opportunity to teach others about their innovation.
If they're repeatedly making the same mistake or not working to standard - then maybe they need to be helped learn what skills they do have and where they'd be better applied.