Sales callouses episode #1

I’m fascinated in personal growth exercises and input from my peers…

Please, take a minute and address the following situation as you see it from your perspective?

Here’s the situation:

                How do you handle it when a staff member comes to you with a problem? What’s your process of “the fix”?

 My input for the group (and what I’ve had the most success with) is that I first clarify what’s the main thing…#1 and then I love to pose the question back to them on how THEY would fix and address the subject if they were in my shoes?  If they answer that they honestly still don’t know, then of course it’s time for my input and insight that (hopefully) puts us on the road to recovery, but I want them to try and have a different perspective on handling any situation from thinking “like a boss/owner” at every presumed hurdle?  I believe that it just strengthens the team to be able to understand why I think like I do and why I would handle the situation in such a manor. What I’m after is to have clarity of what our responsibilities are and have little fires dispersed at the even the hint of smoke? Funny thing is that by letting the team member have a voice it strengthens our bond, also.

Of course, I firmly Believe it’s our RESPONSIBILITY to COMMUNICATE at every possible ripple we witness (or even at a slow time on the floor)…my biggest fear is that my staff think that I’m unapproachable, that’s a recipe for failure and I’ll soon be replaced or (worse yet!!) a team member become ineffective and leave our staff!! That’s just not going to work. If I had a hand at hiring them then they deserve my best and not when it’s just convenient either...

Please, give your thoughtful and best answer?