If you\u2019ve been reading my column for a while, you\u2019ll know I end each column with the same line: Until next time\u2014add value and make a difference. Those aren\u2019t just words\u2014I mean them sincerely. Have you been taking them to heart? I hope so. In this column, I\u2019d like to discuss a very specific way to add value.<\/p>\n
How? Ask questions. For most of my career, I\u2019ve been one who sees a need and takes action. What I\u2019ve learned, though, is that I sometimes can take better action if I ask a few questions. Or, if I\u2019m already asking questions, I should ask a few more.<\/p>\n
For example, a manager comes to you and says,\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy people are really stressed out\u2014I\u2019d like a stress management course for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
What do you do? First, I\u2019ll tell you what you don\u2019t <\/em>do: You don\u2019t provide the course…at least not without asking questions. Why? Because unless you know the sources of stress, you can\u2019t be sure training will help. And training actually might hurt. Why? I\u2019ll answer that in just a minute. But think about the questions we should be asking:<\/p>\n You get the idea. I\u2019m sure you can think of more. Notice these are open-ended questions \u2014\u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno\u201d answers won\u2019t suffice. We want to draw out more information.<\/p>\n There is a reason for choosing this example. A friend of mine, Tor Dahl, has spent more than 40 years researching productivity in the workplace. The White Bear Lake, MN, consultant\u2019s research shows repeatedly that more than 50 percent of the stress managers experience in the workplace is caused by nonproductive behavior. Stress management shouldn\u2019t happen apart from productivity improvement.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say someone procrastinates on a deadline and then works under tremendous pressure to meet the deadline. The pressure causes tension headaches. Teach stress management to show the person how to prevent the headaches\u2014 and you have enabled the person to live with a nonproductive behavior by showing how to eliminate one of the consequences.<\/p>\n In the long run, this doesn\u2019t help either the employee or the company. If you\u2019re familiar with my Performance Solutions Cube, you know I recommend asking questions about five things before trying training as a part of the solution. If you\u2019d like a copy, e-mail me at Bob@Cttnewsletters.com. Adapting the solution to the above example, I might ask questions such as:<\/p>\n If we get \u201cyes\u201d answers to these questions, we\u2019re better off first making improvements to our systems, changing policies and procedures, and\/or reassigning people. This will reduce stress and improve productivity. We\u2019ll find plenty of challenges with training as part of the solution and gain greater support from management for these programs\u2014if we make a habit of asking questions.<\/p>\n As always, until next time\u2014add value and make a difference. And join me at Training 2016 Conference & Expo in Orlando, where I\u2019ll present a Certificate Program February 13 and 14 on \u201cMoving from Training Provider to Trusted Advisor with Performance Consulting.\u201d To register, visit www.trainingconference.com.<\/p>\n Bob Pike, CSP, CPLP FELLOW, CPAE-Speakers Hall of Fame, is known as the \u201ctrainer\u2019s trainer.” He is the author of more than 30 books, including \u201cCreative Training Techniques Handbook” and his newest book, \u201cThe Master Trainer\u2019s Handbook.” You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook using bobpikectt.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Most of the time, you can take better action if you ask a few questions first and then continuing asking more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[26],"class_list":{"0":"post-10184","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-magazine","7":"tag-trainer-talk","8":"magazine_issues-november-2015"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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