As you know that leadership is a topic that seems infinite. There are many lessons on top of lessons that we can take from the best leaders. Our goal is to constantly seek and find great things from those leaders so that we can continually bring them to you!
Our goal in leadership is to make sure we don’t lose people. Not in terms of them finding another job (although retainment is key) but in our conversations with them. We don’t want to lose them when they ask a question. A few things we could strive to eliminate when someone does ask a question is advice, trying to fix them/their problem, and certainly avoid “should.” If we can avoid these they will be more likely to come back and ask again. Do those and it’s likely they don’t come back.
Should implies that you leave them with no choice. No choice leads them to be less creative, thoughtful, and opportunistic.
Focus on the push-pull method. Imagine a tug-a-war match between two equally strong teams. The rope pulls one way for a few seconds and then it pulls the opposite way. You want your conversation to be like this.
Aim to share the values you have without making it feel like you’re preaching. Strive to get them to think themselves through the question/problem.
Please remember that if you rub them the wrong way with your answering they will seek their questions/answers in a different place, and maybe even a worse place.