Questions to Enhance Your Flexibility

"Patience creates confidence, decisiveness and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success." —Brian Adams

QUESTIONS TO ENHANCE YOUR FLEXIBILITY

"We are all accustomed to reacting spontaneously in our usual way, whatever that 'way' might be," observes Dorothy Leeds in Smart Questions: A New Strategy for Successful Managers (New York: Berkley Books, 1987). She continues:

"It is difficult to let go of old habits and develop a more flexible managerial style....Questions can help you become more flexible and establish an atmosphere where people can express the best in themselves. Here is how to do it. When you encounter a problem, pose these quick questions to yourself:

How is this situation unique?
What is my usual mode of dealing with people problems?
What works?
What doesn't?
What's the best way to handle this particular situation (or this particular person)?
When is the last time I handled something in a new way?
How might I change my approach to get the most out of each person on my team?
Where would applying pressure help?
Where would it hinder?
In terms of my bottom-line objective, how would I like this situation to turn out?
How can I get out of my own way and make that happen?"