We are used to hearing “resist jumping to conclusions”, another important thing to do is to “resist jumping to solutions”.
When asked how they are feeling, some people aren't honest with their feelings. Often because they get unsolicited advice or intrusive questions, making them feel uncomfortable and less valued.
As a leader, you can try to stop that cycle with your team with the culture you create and the micro-actions you take.
Mental health advocate Jessmina Archbold shares that she likes to run mental health check-ins at her workshops, asking these questions:
‘On a scale of one to 10, one being the lowest, 10 being the best, how are you feeling today? Who can you ask for help? What do you need to feel supported?’
She gets the participants to ask it of themselves first, and then asks them to pose the same questions to another person (an interesting idea for team meetings in breakout rooms).
For Archbold, this isn’t just about being there for each other, it’s also about boundaries, which she says is the centre of self-care.
“The key is to listen and create space, not to jump in with advice and try to solve their problem. In your 1:1s as a manager, you probably open up by asking your direct report how they’re doing.
If their ‘number’ is low, or their response seems muted, ask, ‘How can I support you?’ before diving into solution mode. That gives them the agency and the space to ask for what they need, without getting too probing or positioning yourself as the saviour.”
Don't forget to download and use our “Let’s Chat” tool as a guide to having meaningful check-in’s with your team, encouraging your team to find the solution, not you, and feeling more valued in the process.
Keep smiling, look after yourself and your team!
Let’s Chat Tool
Don’t forget to download our ‘Let’s Chat’ Tool handout for you and your team!
BLYTHE ROWE & Her Life on Heels.
The founder and director of Human Incite, is widely recognised for her passion, energy and her ability to shake things up. Blythe is brilliant at revving-up productivity and performance in organisations. She is on a mission to rid our workplaces of toxic behaviours, build meaningful relationships, personally and professionally and create workplaces worth belonging. Her enthusiasm simply is infectious!