When Douglas John Bennett, Dip PFS, had the opportunity to spend five weeks out of the office speaking at three conferences in New Zealand and Australia, he had two thoughts:
- Sounds great!
- A lot will need to be done while I’m gone. How is that going to work?
After all, the standard routine for the 12-year MDRT member from Crawley, England, involved answering several questions for his two part-time staff members used to strolling across the hall, not dealing with a 12-hour time difference. So he told them that as long as their decisions wouldn’t cost the business more than £200, he would back them 100% in anything they chose to do. If they emailed him a question about what to do, they’d need to include their recommended solution, and he’d simply respond with three letters: GFI. Go for it.
So where Bennett previously felt like he was repeating himself or spoon-feeding answers, he instead asked his staff what they thought they should do, and this continued after his trip. Now the office is set up so he can continue these speaking engagements and time out of the office with clients without worrying about decisions being made.
“If they have to write chapter and verse what the problem is and what the solution is, and they know whatever they decide, as long as it doesn’t cost the business more than £200, will be backed up by me 100%, they don’t bother sending me the emails,” Bennett said. “They just make the decision.”
Learn more about the difference between coaching and micromanaging in this Round the Table article
i truly agree with Mr Chandramouli at the same time these Juniors must be ready to accept challenges and responsibilities
Thank you!
Empowering juniors and decentralizing are great ways to make the Office efficient. It will improve their confidence and decision-making ability.
GFI is a wonderful way to reply. Short and Sweet.