In principle, when everyone has the same objective or interest, details are best decided closest to the action, on the ground floor, on the front line, by the people with the most information. It works well to give a group a task and let them decide how to get it done.
Practical Tip: If giving a task to a group, be clear on the objectives. If receiving a task as a group, be clear on the objectives. When everyone is clear on the objectives let each person do what they do best. Let a group split up responsibilities for themselves. Let them change responsibilities, including leadership, according to task.
Don’t decide too much. Leave how-to details for the doers.
– Craig Freshley
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Thanks for your comment, Marian.
I love the dinner prep analogy!
Good one.
What a great tip, Craig!
Getting everyone involved by tapping into their individual strengths, you gain every person’s interest and enthusiasm.
This tip brings to mind memories of child rearing – not that it’s the same. When my kids were young and not always interested in the dinner menu, I learned the value of including each one in the planning and preparation of the meal. One could shred the lettuce for salad, another measure out ingredients for a cake, while my third shredded cheese. The result: all three grew more interested in and eager to eat dinner.
Marian