Introducing one of our twelve Practices of Engagement™ which we share to improve one or more of your Engagement Coefficient (Ɛ), Collaboration Velocity (Cv) and Productivity (ρ) as defined in the 3 Laws of Engagement™. Each represents a practical activity that you can deploy in your work straight away. These are observed, tried out, refined and defined over my 25 years of experience helping people within the businesses I’ve worked with.
With consideration for the exchange of value for the parties involved when in a conversation. The specific type of value can range from goodwill, knowledge and money. Here we will focus on the ability to impart the knowledge and skills for our colleagues to help themselves in the business when we’re not there.
With consideration for the exchange of value for the parties involved when in a conversation. The specific type of value can range from goodwill, knowledge and money. Here we will focus on the ability to impart the knowledge and skills for our colleagues to help themselves in the business when we’re not there.
Firstly let's look at the opposite to this Practice. That is where there is a dependency created on those providing support. That would mean, for instance, that for amendments or additions you need to go back to the original source to request the updates. There will be times when this remains relevant as there may be further professional knowledge required to maintain the integrity of the product. There will be other occasions when it is entirely the right thing to do, whilst working together with your colleagues, to ensure they are able to continue the work between themselves.
However, whether it's a business strategy, lessons learned or SWOT analysis there's a way to achieve high-levels of engagement and leave the room with the group able to continue to help themselves. This brand of 'low dependency' support consultancy starts by putting in place the necessary building blocks to encourage it as the norm rather than the exception. In providing this recipe you will be better placed to spot the next opportunity to create the conditions in which the work moves on under its own steam.
If at any stage you question why you would do yourself out of a job(?!) then revert back to the exchange of value. The best people I’ve worked with are quick to demonstrate the value of what they are able to do by taking the conversation or the business from A to B in the most effective way possible or at least close to. Once demonstrated then those same people are already looking for the next opportunity to add the same value or even deploy a different kind of skill.
Dwelling on the first offering and wringing it out is not, in my experience, the kind of engaging practice that I would want to have a reputation built around. This is particularly evident when providing services as a consultant into a client where there is a bill to be paid at the end of the period. The same principle applies within a team and colleagues, without the commercial paperwork, but equally valid to provide both the contribution to the answer but also the ingredients to continue to develop the picture without your involvement.
We've coined a phrase 'Windowsill Facilitation' to paint a picture how 'Helping them to Help Themselves' looks and feels in the room. More of that to come,
