The Single Most Important Question You Should Ask Your Employees

As I received my dismissal papers, I was both surprised and relieved. While the shock of losing your job can be life changing, for me it was the beginning of great insight.

Have you ever regretted doing something? If you could turn back the clock you would have taken the time to learn more about the situation??

During a one-on-one meeting with my boss to evaluate both my projects and my personal performance, we realized there were some major systemic issues that needed attention. While discussing solutions and actions needed, he then asked me a question for the first time after being my boss for 6 months. “Do you have the resources and subject matter expertise to resolve this issue?” to which I responded: “No I do not.” Their response to me was: “Then, that one is on me.”??

They had never taken the time early in our relationship to understand my background to learn my Strengths, Opportunities, Weaknesses and potentially Threats.? Had they taken the time to learn earlier in our relationship, might the situation have been different?

The reason people are not performing isn’t because of a lack of motivation or a lack of talent. It’s a misreading (or non-reading) by leadership of whether or not the individual is prepared to handle the task.?

When was the last time you did a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities & Threats) on your team? Could there have been issues that were resolved in advance to them becoming an issue? I realize I’m asking you a lot of questions, but it’s important to pause and reflect before I offer you some solutions.?

Because People are the greatest tool in your toolbox I always start a relationships:

• Tell me about your background (Past)
• What accomplishments are you most proud of? (Pride)?
• Do you have the skills and resources needed to support your role? (Process & Platform)
• How does your role align with the company’s Vision, Mission, & Values (Purpose)
• Is everyone in your area of influence aligned and have the capability to meet the Vision, Mission & Values (Performance)
• What barriers do you have that prevent you from being successful? (People)

While I’ve given you six questions to set you up for success, there is one that could have changed the course of my relationship with my boss and the outcome of that career milestone; do you know which one?

Do you have the skills and resources needed to support your role?

Now one could argue that as a senior business leader, I should have raised this issue and shared it with my boss, but without the discussion neither one of us realized the issue until it was too late.

Now it’s time for you to go out and think about what you can do differently with The CEO’s Compass to determine if you are on track. Are your people working optimally and when was the last time you had a one-on-one to assess if they have all the skills and resources they need??

You can start today and get yourself to true north or Peace of Mind with The CEO’s Compass.?

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Resources

Good Reads:?

Stand Out: How to Find Your Breakthrough Idea and Build a Following Around It by Dorie Clark

Everything you need to know about defining your personal brand and having the courage to share it with the world

Good Music:

A Little Chaos by Angèle Dubeau

A soulful but upbeat tempo that opens your mind to possibilities?

Good People:

Jennifer Katrulya: Planning for Efficient and Sustainable Growth

We discuss the power of going deep into your business and ask the right questions about the leaks that may be silently pulling you off track.?