Boss’s Tip of the Week: People have reasons

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Most people want to do the right thing. They’ve usually got good intentions and they have good reasons for what they do, even if they make a bad choice. That’s when the word “Why” can be your best friend.

Ask “Why did you do that?”

Your team member will answer you, often leading with the phrase, “I thought.”

Ask “Why?” again. Keep asking it until you get to the cause of the bad choice. But be warned, often it will be something you said or did.

This is only one of 347 tips in my ebook, Become a Better Boss One Tip at a Time.

Just promoted from individual contributor? Check out my book, Now You’re the Boss: Making the Most of the Most Important Transition in Business.

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