How to help people get things done (reference)

This is more of a reference posting to an article on Seth Godin's blog entitled "Three Ways to Help People Get Things Done". I don't have much to add as it's so well written, succinct and carries an important message. His preferred method of allowing people self-direction and then providing encouragement and support is mine as well. It is a powerful catalyst to helping people get things done. As Seth says once people have tasted success working autonomously they won't just get one thing done. They'll be self-motivated and get tons of other things done independently as well.

This reminds me of the book "Drive" written by another one of my favorite authors and fellow bloggers Daniel Pink. In this book he discovers the 3 most powerful motivators for humans are autonomy, mastery and purpose. People are most motivated when they work on something that has a greater purpose, something that they can get better and better at and something they can go off and produce independently (or in collaboration with a team but not under the watchful eyes of a manager). I discussed this in a little more detail in an earlier posting on motivation.

I believe a key goal as a manager, leader and mentor is to do just as Seth suggests. We aren't there to answer everyone's questions. We are there to guide, encourage and support our teams and mentees to be independent and come up with their own answers. It's akin to parenting where your goal is to raise healthy, capable and independent adults.

There are several ways to helping people get things done. Giving people a "platform and not a ceiling" will be one of the greatest gifts one can give at the workplace.

Enjoy the posting.