Guessing is not a strategy: How to build decision velocity with AI and real-time data
June 10, 2026 | Live Webinar
The other day I overheard a conversation in the hall where a supervisor said to an employee, “You’re just not looking hard enough.” Everyone in the hall could hear it.
This sounds helpful, in a tough love kind of way, but is not likely the best approach to get a solution. And if you are dealing with a difficult employee, it’s even worse. What’s your purpose? To get a solution - preferably a solution agreed to by both you and the employee.
Here are things you might say that shuts down the chance for a solution:
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I think you should … (this takes away the worker’s ability to solve the problem and learn what to do next time)
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Your problem is ... (this is as effective from a manager as it is from parents)
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You just never… (this is talking the worker out of a solution and reducing the employee’s confidence as a bonus)
This language might come easily to you, so you may have to build better habits. Tomorrow, I’ll post better language to initiate a solution agreement.
Posted on: July 10, 2007 01:11 PM |
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