Walking out of a meeting feeling heavier than when you walked in? Imagine every problem you take on from your team as a monkey climbing onto your back. This isn’t just any monkey; it’s a metaphorical one, representing the tasks or problems your team passes to you, hoping you’ll solve them. The idea comes from a famed Harvard Business Review piece, showing how easily leaders can end up weighed down by responsibilities that aren’t theirs to begin with.
Here’s Why It’s Troublesome
It might seem like you’re just being helpful, taking on these monkeys, but it’s a slippery slope:
- Overwhelmed Leaders: Suddenly, you’re swamped, not with your own tasks, but with everyone else’s. Where does that leave room for your actual job?
- Underdeveloped Teams: And your team? They’re not learning or growing because they’re not tackling challenges themselves.
Dodging the Monkey: A Playbook
Alright, so how do you stop these monkeys from jumping onto your back? It’s all about empowering your team and refining your delegation skills.
- Change Up the Talk: When someone brings you a problem, flip the script. Ask, “What do you think we should do?” or “Have you come across anything that might work?” It’s about making them think and take ownership, not offload their issues onto you.
- Break It Down: If they’re stuck, don’t solve it for them. Help them identify smaller steps or actions they can take. This could be something like doing a bit more research or setting up a brainstorming session with the team. It’s about moving forward without the monkey making the leap.
- Set a Deadline: Agree on when they’ll come back to you with updates or solutions. It keeps things on track and ensures the problem doesn’t just hang in the air.
- Cheer Them On: When they figure something out on their own, make a big deal out of it. A simple “Great job on that!” can boost confidence and encourage more of the same behaviour.
It’s Not Just About Assigning Tasks
Good delegation isn’t just about handing off tasks; it’s about building up your team so they can handle challenges without needing to make that monkey jump. By steering clear of the monkey trap, you’re not just freeing up your own time; you’re cultivating a stronger, more independent team.
Sprinkle in Some Real Talk:
Let’s get real for a moment. Imagine a team member managed to turn a difficult client project around on their own, using a strategy you helped them outline. Highlighting stories like this, where the approach led to real success, can show these aren’t just theoretical ideas—they work.
By tweaking our approach to focus more on actionable strategies, fostering independence, and recognizing achievements, we’re aiming for a shift in mindset. Not just to dodge the monkey but to make sure everyone’s carrying their own, growing stronger and more capable in the process.