Employee Complaint? Do This Next Time.
Had An Employee Complaint?
Have you ever had an employee complaint?
I’m sure you have 😉
I’ve got a little helpful tactic for you.
It isn’t original to me, I got it from a mentor.
But I really like it and wanna share it with you.
The next time one of your incredible team members raises an issue, grievance, or complaint, ask them to use the 1-3-1 framework.
Do you have a complaint?
Cool.
With the employee complaint or issue, bring with it 3 potential solutions to the problem.
And your one preferred solution.
1 issue/complaint
3 potential solutions
1 preferred solution
Bingo.
Change Your Culture
If you implement this, you’ve just turned a corner in your culture.
Meaning as a matter of culture and how your team works and collaborates together, you no longer accept or allow someone to only complain, then fully stop after the complaint.
If I’m your employee, the price of me raising an issue or complaint is putting my own head to the problem and coming up with 3 potential solutions.
I’m not allowed to only complain or raise an issue.
I need to bring with me the 3-1.
Why is this important?
I don’t know about you, but I know for me it can feel like I am obligated to respond to an issue or complaint with a solution.
It’s like my immediate natural reaction. “What’s the solution?”
It feels as though because I am the leader, it is my job to bring solutions to every problem I encounter.
But that’ll burn you out, and also create a culture where your team does only the issue-raising, and only you do the solution-creating.
Not good or healthy.
A side effect of implementing the 1-3-1 problem-solving framework into your team culture is that, …as the leader you’ll hear about far fewer
problems.
Because your team will encounter the problem, know that the price of raising the problem is to also come up with 3 potential solutions, and as they are doing that work, they’ll discover they can totally solve the issue on their own. Without even raising it to you. They got it, bro. They’re good.
Or at minimum, you’ll get your team member approaching you with a problem-solving attitude and mindset instead of the cancerous mindset of only identifying what’s wrong, but thinking it’s “not my job” to also help contribute to the hunt for the solution.
Win, win, win.
Ready To Give It A Try?
So, give it a shot next time.
I bet you have an issue right at this moment that you could try the 1-3-1 framework on.
Let me know how it goes!
Reply or comment on what you’ve found works to raise morale, boost a healthy culture, and keep the team in problem-solving mode when handling issues and problems that crop up.
Cheers!
Weston Zimmerman
CEO and co-founder
See SynkedUP in action
Related Articles
The Power of Following Up on Proposals
The Power of Following Up on Proposals Ever have that sneaking suspicion that you lost work because you forgot to...
Incentive Plans for Your Crew
Incentive Plans for Your Crew I’ve seen a couple posts this past week where contractors were asking about how to...
Building a system for your estimating process
How Long Does It Take To Close A Proposal On Average? Average Proposal Have you ever sent a proposal, not...
How Long Does It Take To Close A Proposal On Average?
How Long Does It Take To Close A Proposal On Average? Average Proposal Have you ever sent a proposal, not...
Your Crew Going Over Estimated Hours Regularly?
Your Crew Going Over Estimated Hours Regularly Estimated Hours Let’s say you’ve estimated and installed your own jobs as the...
2nd Mistake Contractors Make When Estimating Labor
2nd Mistake Contractors Make When Estimating Labor for Jobs The 2nd mistake in estimating Last week I started a series...
Top Mistake Contractors Make When Estimating Labor on Jobs
Top Mistake Contractors Make When Estimating Labor on Jobs Estimating Jobs It’s frustrating when you feel you’re doing everything right,...
Employee Complaint? Do This Next Time.
Employee Complaint? Do This Next Time. Had An Employee Complaint? Have you ever had an employee complaint? I’m sure you...
Are You “The Best” Contractor In Your Area?
Are You “The Best” Contractor In Your Area? “The Best” Can you make a better burger than McDonald’s? Can you...
Making Money? Time for the Mid-Year Check
Making Money? Time for the Mid-year Check Making money? It’s that time in the heat of summer again! Are you...