Let Your Employees Surprise You

There are a plethora of ideas and views on the best way to lead. Some people’s jobs are basically to help teach leadership skills and develop a team. But before you think about the next best way to motivate your team to stay innovative, take in these words by one of the greatest military leaders of the 20th century, General George S. Patton:

“Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.”

Patton’s view on leadership is simple: have faith in your team and trust their abilities. Now, this doesn’t mean to let your workforce jump out there and pursue random projects. You have to tell them what they need to do, where you’re going, and how their work will get you there. But, let them use their strengths to help mold how they will complete each project. Engagement starts with a clear goal and ends with an employee feeling trust in their company to explore different ways to achieve success. Your staff wants to feel appreciated and also know that what they are doing is meaningful – and that starts with giving them the cushion to think for themselves.

Is there a time you gave your employees the freedom to develop their own means of meeting a deadline or working on a project? How did it work out? Let us know in the comments section below!

No comments yet.

Leave a Reply