When you approach your team with a problem, do you inspire accountability or responsibility? People who are held accountable look to comply and satisfy your requests. People who take responsibility are innovative and creative. You’re more likely to resolve a problem when people take responsibility.

The subtle difference between creating accountability and responsibility is often the difference between telling and asking. Open-ended questions work wonders for inviting discussion. “What do you make of these results?” “What would be a better outcome?”

When you invite discussion, you invite people to take responsibility. It doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything they say, but what if they have an idea that rocks your world?

You’ve got this.