Quick Question: How can I help?
Quick Question
Here is today's quick question for you...How can I help?
Ask it when you're...
Starting a mentoring conversation - This simple question confirms for our mentees that we are there with a single purpose: to support them. It demonstrates that we don’t presume to know what they need and that they are free to set the agenda.
Offering a new challenge to a team member - Maybe it’s a project they’ve never done before or an entirely new role. Rather than assuming we know what they need, asking them can unlock new insights about their fears and blind spots.
Aligning your plan with colleagues - Offering help is an easy way to encourage team members to outline their thinking and the work they plan to do. It prompts them to consider whether they could use an extra pair of hands or an additional skill set.
Listen for...
When offering help, we often have a preconceived notion of the response we'll receive. Or even a response we want. The trick is to set that aside and listen.
Try to listen for:
Moments of hesitancy in the description of a plan
Obvious gaps or missing pieces in an approach
Divergence from your strategy, values or approach, which might suggest an opportunity to re-align.
If you hear any of these, asking, ' How can I help?' can help everyone relax and think about the opportunity in a new way.
Follow up with...
Sometimes, the greatest value comes from the one extra question you take the time to ask.
In this situation, you could try…
What question or problem has been consuming you?
What do you feel least confident about?
What would you like to hand off to someone else?
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