Summary of "Leading Organizations That Matter" Episode 68: "A Great Question to Ask Your Staff"

Release Date: May 20, 2025
Host: Rey Spadoni

Introduction

In Episode 68 of "Leading Organizations That Matter," host Rey Spadoni delves into the art of conducting effective staff meetings. The episode, titled "A Great Question to Ask Your Staff," explores strategies leaders can employ to foster meaningful dialogue, build trust, and inspire their teams within mission-driven and nonprofit organizations.

The Traditional Approach to Staff Meetings

Rey begins by addressing the conventional view of staff meetings. Many leaders treat these gatherings as opportunities for "performance art," using them to present information, persuade, motivate, and inspire their teams. While this approach has its merits, Rey suggests that it often overlooks the potential for deeper engagement and dialogue.

"Many leaders approach staff meetings as performance art, as an opportunity to present information, to persuade, to motivate and inspire, and to build confidence."
— Rey Spadoni (00:30)

Emphasizing Active Dialogue

Reflecting on his tenure as a CEO, Rey emphasizes the value of active dialogue over one-sided presentations. He recalls enjoying "theater in the round" formats, where open communication and active listening were prioritized.

"I always enjoyed the opportunity to actively dialogue with staff, to enter into more of a theater in the round type format, and to make sure that I actively listened to what I was hearing in the room."
— Rey Spadoni (01:10)

However, Rey acknowledges the challenges that come with maintaining open lines of communication, especially during periods of intense organizational change and challenge. Despite these obstacles, he steadfastly believed in the importance of soliciting input and sharing the rationale behind management decisions.

Building Trust and Mutual Respect

Rey highlights the critical role that ongoing conversations play in building trust and mutual respect between leadership and staff. However, he shares that his initial attempts to gather feedback were often met with silence or uncomfortable body language, indicating that staff might not feel safe to speak openly or that his questions were too vague.

"I often be met by silence, sometimes accompanied by uncomfortable body language suggesting that either people did not feel safe in commenting or that my question was just too wide open, too vague."
— Rey Spadoni (02:00)

Introducing a Focused, Open-Ended Question

To overcome this barrier, Rey developed a simple and direct leading question that significantly improved the quality of staff interactions. His favored question is:

"What one thing that is in our control would you change that would make things better here?"
— Rey Spadoni (02:45)

This question serves multiple purposes:

1. Focuses the Discussion: By specifying "one thing" and "in our control," it narrows down the scope, making it easier for staff to provide actionable feedback.
2. Clarifies Scope: It educates the team on understanding what is within their control versus external factors, aligning everyone's expectations.
3. Encourages Participation: A targeted question reduces the intimidation of open-ended inquiries, fostering a more comfortable environment for sharing ideas.

Positive Outcomes from Using the Focused Question

Rey recounts that implementing this question led to "great conversations" and valuable insights from his staff. The clarity and direction provided by the question made staff feel heard and valued, enhancing their sense of ownership and involvement in organizational improvements.

"Every time I use this question, a great conversation followed. I learned that adding this part that is in our control not only helped to focus the discussion, but it also educated everyone on precisely what was and was not within our control."
— Rey Spadoni (03:30)

Practical Advice for Leaders

Rey encourages leaders to adopt this questioning technique within their own organizations. By asking staff members to identify something within their control that could be improved, leaders can:

• Stimulate Constructive Feedback: Staff are more likely to propose feasible and impactful changes.
• Enhance Transparency: Clearly delineating what is controllable helps manage expectations and reduces frustration over uncontrollable factors.
• Foster Trust: Demonstrates that leadership values and actively seeks employee input, strengthening mutual respect.

"Try this in your organization, ask 'What one thing that is in our control would you change that would make things better here?' Here, I bet you learned some things and that your staff will appreciate being asked."
— Rey Spadoni (04:15)

Conclusion

In this episode, Rey Spadoni provides a practical and effective strategy for leaders aiming to enhance their engagement with staff. By shifting from traditional performance-focused meetings to dialogues facilitated by thoughtful, targeted questions, leaders can build stronger, more trusting relationships with their teams. This approach not only fosters a positive organizational culture but also drives meaningful improvements within the organization.

Rey concludes by reiterating his mission to empower organizations that matter through coaching, mentoring, and consulting services, inviting listeners to connect with him for further support.

Key Takeaways

1. Active Dialogue Over Performance: Prioritize open communication and genuine listening in staff meetings.
2. Use Focused Questions: Implement specific, actionable questions to elicit meaningful feedback.
3. Build Trust and Respect: Consistently seek and value employee input to strengthen organizational bonds.
4. Clarify Control: Helping staff understand what is within their control can lead to more effective and manageable improvements.

By adopting the strategies discussed in this episode, leaders can transform their staff meetings into powerful platforms for collaboration, innovation, and organizational growth.