Q: If you had the power to change just one thing in our organization, what might it be, and how would you go about it?
If you’re in a leadership position, this is a great question to ask of your employees during your one-on-ones. Or, you can ask it of a team through an email survey. You may want to provide the question before your meeting, or offer a target date to submit an answer to allow individuals the time to think it through, before answering.
Common themes among the answers you receive will offer great food for thought as you identify areas needing your attention or leadership.
If you’re an individual contributor, who hasn’t been asked this question, but who might be interested in answering it, I encourage you to take the initiative and do just that. Generally, concerns are well received from an employee, when he or she also provides a full recommendation for solution. —Especially if the employee is willing to participate in the solution.
A question that must only be asked if you’re willing to act on the reply … failing to do so undermines the employer-employee relationship.
It’s a great theoretical question to pose, but can often lead to dissillusionment and dissatisfaction. Employees often want there opinions to be acted upon, not just listened to.