Cooperation is All You Need

                                                                             

Don’t you feel more motivated to see through ideas that you come up with for yourself than those handed to you on a silver platter? If so, wouldn’t it be better to try not to force one’s opinions on other people? Isn’t it wiser to make suggestions, and let the other person think out the conclusion?

One man who worked three years in the office of a famous mayor declared that during that time he never heard him give a direct order to anyone. He always gave suggestions, not orders. He never said, “Do this,” or “Do that.” He would say, “You might consider this,” or “Do you think that would work?” Frequently he would say, after he had dictated a letter, “What do you think of this?” In looking over a letter of one of his assistants, he would say, “Maybe if we were to phrase it this way it would be better.” He gave people the opportunity to do things themselves. Rather than always telling his assistants how to do their work, he let them work things out on their own and learn from their mistakes.

A technique like that makes it easy for a person to correct errors. It enables them to save face, and encourages cooperation instead of resistance. Asking questions not only makes a directive more palatable, but it often stimulates the creativity of the person asked. People are more likely to accept a decision if they have a part in the discussion that caused the order to be issued.

An effective leader will ask questions rather than give direct orders: “Don’t you think we should do such-and-such?” or “Would you like to do such-and-such?” or “What do you think we should do about it?” Always give a choice and make it voluntary, if possible. 

We must live with people to know their problems & live with God to solve them.

Enjoy!