My 2 Year Old Coach

I have a grandson who rocks!

‘Why?’ is his most frequently asked question.  “Let’s put your boots on - Why? - Because it is raining outside - Why? -  Because clouds turn into rain when they cool off - Why? - We need rain so the plants grow.”  You know the rest of this story! 

He asks his next most frequent question when in his car seat.  “Where are we? - We’re on Limeport Pike.”  We drive for a few minutes. “Passing aunt Jan’s house? - Yep.”  A few miles later.  “Where are we? - Crossing Rt. 309 - Going to your house? - Yep”. “Where are we? - Turning onto Butternut Road where my house is - OK.”  He is so smart.  I turned onto a road I seldom ever go on.  From the back seat I hear, “I have never been on this road before”.

Why is this important?
I started to think how his questions relate t0 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need. The basics begin with physiological needs.  When my grandson was born, his physical needs came first and still do.  Everyone needs to eat, sleep and have a dry diaper on.  Once those needs are met, the next layer includes security and safety.  Am I safe?  Does this make sense?  Is everything OK? Why? and Where are we? are quests for safety and security. 
Every human being, especially those who work for you, need to know why they are doing what they are doing and where they are on the journey!  We all have the basic need to know what the vision or mission is, what my part is and how I am doing.

What to do.
A leader must have willing followers.  A clearly articulated and shared vision plus regular updates on progress pave the way. Knowing ‘Why’ provides their need for safety and security. Answering, ‘Where are we?’ through regular feedback provides their need for relationships and feelings of accomplishment. Thanks to my grandson, as a performance coach I have begun asking these questions of frontline employees before meeting with their leaders.  They tell me about what they are trying to accomplish. I ask, ‘Why?’ and follow-up with ‘So, how is it going’.  If everyone I talk to is on the same page their leader is meeting the basic needs that are the foundation for achieving one’s full potential.