Don't be that manager...
Ali Merchant
| Executive coach | Leadership advisor | Former Head of L&D | Founder of All-In Manager
Managers who can't communicate with clarity create burnout for everyone.
Don't be?that?manager.
Here are three critical areas where you need to add clarity. These three will decrease burnout and increase team performance. ????????
?? When delegating
Clearly communicate the outcome you want your employee to produce. If the outcome is "unclear" in your mind. Co-create the outcome with the employee or don’t delegate yet.
When giving a deadline. Avoid vague statements like “Anytime next week”, or “ASAP”. Give an actual date instead. Also, communicate whether the deadline is non-negotiable?and?the impact of missing it.
?? When offering constructive feedback
Avoid sugarcoating feedback — If your employee is doing something incorrectly, you need to?clearly?explain what they’re doing incorrectly and help them fix it. (No, this doesn’t make you a jerk). In fact, your employees will appreciate the clarity.?Sugarcoating constructive feedback masks the problem. Clear communication solves the problem.
Most (all?) employees want to be treated as adults. When we sugarcoat feedback, we incorrectly assume that they're not in a place to deal with constructive criticism.
?? When communicating difficult news to the boss
Don’t hoard difficult news. Just say it.
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Your boss will appreciate the clarity.
?? If a customer's unhappy and at risk of churning, start with:
"Customer will churn if we don't do X. Here’s where I need your help."
?? If you make a mistake, lead with:
“Here’s where I went wrong and this is what I intend to do to fix it.”
?? If you can’t commit to a last-minute meeting, try this:
“I’m currently busy with X. I’m unable to make it to this meeting. Ok to sit this one out?”
Whatever you do. Avoid surprising your boss at all costs. That never ends well. There are few things more upsetting than an unpleasant surprise at work.
Next time you’re in a meeting with a leader you admire, notice how quickly they get to the?heart of the matter. Chances are they're zero-fluff and all substance. Strive to be like them.?Deliberate practice will get you there.
Don't forget. Being unclear is being unkind.
Ali
PS: Thank you for reading this newsletter. I appreciate you. What's one thing I can do to make this newsletter more valuable for you? I'd love to hear your feedback.??
International Trainer & Coach. Speaker. Facilitator.
2 年One super valuable thing I've learnt is to never finish any conversation on a negative note. Not at work, not at home. It will hurt.
?? Headlines are overrated. See the Featured Section instead.
2 年Great read Ali Merchant ?? communicating effectively is key!
Full-Stack Developer & Solutions Architect | Angular, React, Java, .NET, AWS | Boosted Efficiency by 60% | 20+ Years IT Expertise
2 年Communication goes beyond the spoken word: It’s also visual and nonverbal. Leaders are often seen as people who are good at talking, but they should also be able to listen and show empathy in order to earn respect from those they lead.
Strategic Leader Driving Innovation and Operational Excellence | FORCE MULTIPLIER | Technology and Business Operations Leader | Cross-Functional | Trusted Consultant & Mentor
2 年Clarity is kindness. Be clear in expectations, coaching, decision making. If the person disagrees, perhaps there's room for discussion, maybe even negotiation. But at the end, everyone knows what's up!