How to encourage staff members to come up with their own solutions

(Hint: Listen.)

One of the main skill sets managers must have is the ability to listen. At times, managers may feel compelled to give suggestions to staff members without listening to what staff members have to say. Even if the suggestions are good, if the manager does not take time to first listen to staff members, the staff member  will feel ignored and the suggestions may not be heeded. Additionally, managers may have good suggestions, but the suggestions may need some tweaking in order for it to be implemented.

Here are so tips:

1. Make the suggestions, and immediately ask staff members for feedback and comments.
2. Listen to what staff members have to say, and then decide the validity of the comments. 
3. Come to agreed-upon suggestions that managers and staff members are comfortable with. 
4. Have the staff create a plan of action and fully implement it, with guidance from the manager as needed.

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By following this method, managers ensure that staff members are heard and consulted with, and thus empowered. Once the plan is created and implemented, staff members feel like they were part of the solution.