How we frame an issue or topic before a conversation shapes how people engage. Taking time to frame a discussion and giving people space to prepare for it leads to better outcomes.
Simple, and yet it’s something I know lots of people in leadership roles struggle with - including myself. We want to build an environment where people feel able to contribute, but time, pressure, and habit get in the way.
In workshops, I often use the concept of discuss, debate and decide to help teams and individuals structure their conversations.
This morning, I came across another piece of this puzzle (thanks to Multipliers by Liz Wiseman): Framing.
Before you move into a cycle of discuss, debate, and decide, you need to effectively frame the debate you want the team to have. And it’s really easy to do.
Here are the four questions to ask yourself and your team:
1. The Question: What is the decision to be made? What are we choosing between?
2. The Why: Why is this an important question to answer? Why does the decision warrant collective input and debate? What will happen if it is not addressed?
3. The Who: Who will be involved in making the decision? Who will give input?
4. The How: How will the final decision be made? Will it be made by majority rule? Consensus? Or will you (or someone else) make the final decision after others provide input and recommendations?
From - Wiseman, L., 2017. Multipliers, Revised and Updated: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smart. New York: Harper Business.
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