3 Words That Undermine Leaders

Three words can reveal a lot about A/E/C managers and principals.

This phrase says a lot about your leadership style.

🚩When new hires hear this response, they often feel discouraged. It can be frustrating and even make them feel inadequate.

Saying 'figure it out' can make people feel undervalued, especially when they’re trying to learn how things work.

Newcomers to our industry want to understand the basics so they don't have to keep asking the same questions.

➡️Where can I find this?
➡️Could you please clarify the punch list for me?
➡️Is this the latest documentation?

Leaders should recognize that new team members want to learn, do well, and meet expectations.

If someone still needs a lot of help after a reasonable amount of time, there may be a bigger issue.

But in the first few months, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed.

There’s a learning curve.

Responding with 'figure it out' comes across as passive-aggressive.

It can negatively impact company culture, team morale, and project results.

When leaders take a few minutes to coach younger staff, it pays off in the long run. 🥇

You help prepare the next generation for success and show them how to communicate as they step into bigger roles.

Executives who rely on the 'figure it out' approach should consider how their communication affects others.

The ‘figure-it-out’ phrase can signal leadership that needs improvement, lacks empathy, and struggles with communication.⚠️

These aren't qualities we want next-gen leaders to emulate.

Notice if you use these three words, and see it as a chance to improve your communication and leadership.

You can figure it out. 👈