Engaging the "next level"

How to have the next level down from senior leadership become more engaged, take greater ownership, and show more initiative is a challenge for many organisations.

Here's some of what I've advised:

1. People take ownership when they get to contribute

People are less likely to take ownership when they are told what to do. You need to draw out their involvement.

This seems obvious, but it is not often done — because often the "next level" are afraid to contribute out of fear. The specific fears vary from organisation to organisation, but it's mostly about getting something wrong. Which tells you: they don't feel safe.

2. You have to constantly reaffirm and recognise initiative-taking

You can't just say once "please take initiative". You'll have to keep asking for it. And you must praise people for doing it — especially when they get it wrong.

We all know those organisations that say "take initiative", then chastise you when you do. You overcome this by praising initiative-taking, even when it goes wrong.

3. You need to share your thought process, not just communicate your conclusions

The big assumption gap: senior leaders, falling prey to the curse of knowledge, assume that the "next level" know how they think and will come to the same conclusions.

Not so.

The best leaders become mentors who help those they lead develop the way they think about things — by sharing how they think, and talking it over.