3 Simple Steps to Get your People to Step Up: Step 3: Give Them Responsibility

So you are now clear on where you are headed and they should have got it by now and all you want is for them to grasp the bull by the horns and get on with it. They may even be making all right noises to suggest they are on board - but beware! Responsibility is a bit like an unwanted Christmas present. You politely accept it and say thanks, then bin it as soon as possible!

The key to giving people responsibility is for them to want it in the first place. Engage with them and discover their ‘why’? How do they align with your vision? What are their strengths? What part can they play? What excites them the most?

When you match the right people including their strengths, aspirations, and their ‘why’ with the right jobs (and you might have to recruit or exit) you will automatically get discretionary effort. Just think of a time when you were in the perfect job for you and you will know what I mean.

Then you must support them as they learn and take on more. Creating this supportive environment where it is safe to take calculated risks and learn from mistakes is crucial for people step up. If you don’t then you risk being blind sided by those who create the illusion of getting things done when really they’re not. And I haven’t met anyone yet who likes that kind of surprise!

So there you have it. If you have read this blog series you now know the 3 simple steps to get others to step up.

You might be saying that any leader worth their salt could have come up with the same 3 steps, there’s nothing new here. So how come so many leaders complain that despite doing all the right things their people still aren’t getting it? That’s probably because it’s HOW they are going about it.

Best,

Anne Dargan
www.rapidchangeconsultancy.com
Helping dynamic and caring leaders
who want to make change happen