To help you bring out the best in your team, you need to get close and understand their skills, abilities, and motivations. So, the authors of the book, Your First Leadership Job, recommend you hold getting-to-know-you conversations with each of your direct reports.
Ask these open-ended questions. Let each team member know the purpose of the meeting in advance. And, don't cheat by adding in work-specific questions.
- What do you enjoy doing most as part of your work? Why?
- What do you miss most about the jobs you've had in the past? Why?
- What things about your current job do you enjoy the least? Why?
- How do you cope with or relieve stress?
- To help you do your job, what could I change about: Your work environment? The content of your work? How you get your work done?
- What form of recognition do you prefer or not prefer?
