Help I need somebody!
by Ruth Thompson on Jan.08, 2010, under Business, Cause & Effect, Creativity
What happens when a task is to be completed and you are the best qualified, most experienced, best-informed person to complete that task? You complete the task. Seems logical doesn’t it? When delegating tasks you naturally assess the skill required for the task and choose the person best suited to complete it. Ok, you take into consideration development needs and time available but do you take anything else into consideration?
If you know you are the best person for the job at hand, do you ever ask others for their advice?
Behavioural scientist Patrick Laughlin have shown that the approaches and outcomes of groups that work together are better than the average member working alone but also….better than the group’s best member working alone!
Input from others can stimlate the thinking process. Ever heard a comment someone has made which has ignited an idea in your mind? The insight may have been delivered by you but the spark…that was created by someone else. We are all aware of the importance and value of having a sounding board but do we all take advantage of it?
Seeking input from your colleagues will not only encourage creativity and parallel processing but will create a better team environment as well. Asking for input from others and valuing that input – whether you use the input or not – will build closer relationships and better rapport.
So next time you are the best person for the job – ask for help and suggestions – you’ll achieve more and gain more than better outcomes for the current task.
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January 8th, 2010 on 4:26 pm
Sometimes I find that I only think I’m the best person to do the job, due to control issues! It comes with owing your own business I think. Control is hard to give up. Recently, I’ve discovered the joys of outsourcing more stuff and enjoyed the benefits of my time being freed up at the same time as getting the job done when I want it instead of when I could manage to fit it in.
January 8th, 2010 on 4:35 pm
It’s something I think is more difficult for small business owners who are used to replying on themselves or manager’s who may lack trust in their employees. Certainly I know that whatever my idea it improves and becomes polished only when I’ve run it past someone else who invariably has a different perspective. I don’t always decide to go their way, but their imput is still valuable. Keep enjoying those benefits – as you’ll be well aware, owning a business means that you have to prioritise what is the best use of your time.