High Input, Low Democracy Leadership
Welcoming, even requiring, input is vital in working well with millennials (in the workplace 21 – 34 years old). As I describe in my book, Millennials have been raised to know that they make a difference, that their opinion matters that they are change-makers.
So ask for input at the beginning of projects “how might we do this better or faster?” “What could we do to drive creativity into our project?” etc. Take the time to solicit input. Listen. Weigh. Listen some more.
I can’t stress enough how important this is in engaging your teams and getting full, productive participation for other people regardless of their age. It’s a virtuous circle of goodness — solicit input, find some great stuff, implement that, evaluate, and improve, get people excited about their contribution, get more, better ideas….and so on and so on.
At the same time, leaders/managers may not be able to accept all input equally or right then or without some other work first. Good leaders solicit a wide range of input so that they’re not operating in a bubble of Kool-Aid. Then it’s time for a decision. When a vote can be taken, offer them (lunch? volunteer day?, team day activities? partner? etc.)
Virtuous Circle Of Input Awesomeness. Credit: Lee Caraher
However democracy doesn’t have a large role in the workplace. And it’s important that people know that while their input is desired and required, that someone needs to make the decision on how to move forward with what. High Input, Low Democracy.
When you don’t take input, it’s important to a) acknowledge the effort and b) explain why you may not be able to act on the specific input at that time. Also if you get “half-baked” input, don’t take the responsibility to finish the idea. Move the rest of the work back to the generator — “thanks Bob for your idea, I think it has some promising concepts. Please flesh it out with specifics and desired outcomes so that we can fully consider it.”
Again, high (GOOD) input, low democracy. This sets an environment and culture of ideas and input AND action, not just dallying around.
We may live in a Democracy, it doesn’t mean we should run one.