Instructions are Important

If you are a Leader, Coach or Teacher you know the importance of instructions.  You give them constantly and hopefully they are followed closely.  You are also receiving instructions daily.  I know of no leaders who never have to listen to stakeholders.  Go ahead and try to think of someone who is not accountable to anyone... Coaches listen to parents, administrators, officials, etc.  Teachers, of course follow the instructions given by administrators, parents, curriculum, etc.  Maybe Entreprenuers??? No way.  They need to listen and follow directions and instructions better than anyone.  All of our jobs depend on listening to and following instructions.

What type of instructions do you like to receive?  Vague and non-specific?  Or succinct, accurate and easy to follow?  Of course we all know the answer.  My son loves to give instructions.  He tells me what to do and how to do it.  He gives me my schedule for the day and tells me what he expects of me.  The other day I was listening to him and his instructions went something like this:  "We are going to play toys and you are going to build me a nest (pile of pillows and blankets), then lets fly to the ceiling and jump off and then, MONSTERS!  HIDE! and then make me some breakfast and milk."  It was hard to please him because I didn't know what his instructions were.  That got me thinking "Do I generally give clear and easy to follow instructions?"  Or am I like my son and all over the place

Here are a few suggestions to make sure that the instructions you give are easy to follow and gain cooperation.

1.)  Make sure your instructions are able to be followed.  When you are communicating with a follower be sure that they can complete the task.  Nothing is more frustrating than being given a task that you are not able to complete.  Are your instructions able to be accomplished.

2.)  Do they make sense to people beside yourself?  My dad told me about a teaching conference he went to years ago.  All of the teachers (very bright and knowledgeable) were asked to write up a list of instructions on how to make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich.  Simple, Right?  Not even close.  My dad told me that one by one the leader went down through the written instructions and followed literally.  The result was comical.  Most didn't include to take the lids off the jars or to open the bread and to use a knife, etc.  The leader was using his finger to spread jelly on a loaf of bread in a bag or putting peanut butter on the table.  Think through what you are asking your followers to do and make sure it makes sense to someone who is not you.  Don't assume anything!

3.)  Keep it simple.  Have you ever been given a set of instructions that include 9 points and 7 subpoints under each one.  Its paralyzing to your followers.  If a process has more than 3 or 4 steps try to find a simpler way of getting the task complete.

4.)  Give guidelines and suggestions.  Don't be set in stone.  Most things have some flexibility in how they can be completed.  Use phrases like "this is how I would do it" or " I would suggest trying this."  Empower your followers to find their own solutions to the problems they face.  Support them whenever needed but allow your instructions communicate some flexibility.

5.)  Give specific outcomes, resources and timelines.  Be exact in what you expect them to accomplish, not how they are to accomplish it.  Be specific in exactly what help they will have in accomplishing their task.  Set a timetable for completion and get out of the way as your followers are accomplishing the mission.

Hopefully a few of these suggestions will help you give better instructions to your followers and will help them increase their productivity and lower your "babysitter" factor.