What's Important to You?

Hands down - this is one of the most important discussions that team members can have with one another.   What's important to you?

The forsaking of this question leaves so much collateral uncollected - whereas a discussion around this provides so much information that benefits the leader and the team.

What's important to you?  is a key motivator of the individual.     We may think we know what's going on with that person.   We may guess at that individual's intents.    We may wonder endlessly why that team member does what they do.   When "What's important to you?"  is honestly asked and answered - all of that useless speculation goes away and one can move on with work and life.

Beyond removing the veil of mystery;   the answer to this question provides the leader with great opportunities to enhance the team member's performance.   If the answer is "doing great work" we should provide that individual with the opportunity to do great work and reward them with ample praise once the work is done.   If the answer is "my family"  let's assure that the individual (and all individuals, for that matter) have the opportunity for a great balance of personal and professional time.   If the answer is "security" let's take the opportunity  (often) to assure the individual of their contribution and their ongoing importance in the organization.

A strong secondary benefit to asking a question this powerful is that it removes barriers that may have prevented other conversations from happening.      Once individuals go to the place of this depth, the opportunities open up for other conversations of equal importance.

And finally, ask yourself "What's important to me?"  Give yourself the chance to answer the question and let the answer guide your work and life going forward.

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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders"  is available on Amazon Kindle.