There are some simple phrases that will help any employer and employee work together to achieve their joint goals. However, these phrases are not often clearly stated in books or articles pertaining to leadership. Therefore, instead of thumbing through pages of the latest business books or searching the web for these phrases, just keep reading.
If you’re the EMPLOYEE:
- “What do you want me to do?”
- “How am I doing?”
If you’re the EMPLOYER:
- “Here’s what I need you to do.”
- “How are you doing?”
Believe it or not, it really is this simple. Just keep using these phrases on a regular basis until the project is completed.
As an employee, think of how often you’ve started working on a project without asking these two questions. “What do you want me to do?” and “How am I doing?” How often have you been in the middle of a project and thought about asking these questions, but you just kept silent?
As an employer, think of how often you’ve given an assignment without using the first statement, “Here’s what I need you to do.” And then following up with the second statement after the work has begun, “How are you doing?”
Perhaps you could send a copy of this article to your employer or an employee in your organization. After you send the article, take a few moments to exchange these phrases with the recipient. Keep exchanging the phrases during the assignment or project and you’ll be amazed at how much you will both achieve.
If you’re reluctant to send the article to someone, you can simply begin using these two phrases with your employer or employee. It won’t take long before you will be working together more effectively to achieve your goals.
