​Ep 5: Why asking for favors is a trap

I explain why it is essential to be clear in advance about what we expect or need from our employees rather than asking them to do us favors and describe how to communicate more directly to avoid the favor trap. This is the first episode of four on the theme of retail management communication, and will be followed by episodes on differences of opinion, the dangers of thinking out loud, and minimizing feelings of overwhelm.

In this episode:

• The three levers that we, as retail leaders, need to get comfortable pulling: saying yes, saying no, and getting help
• The three ways we usually ask for help and the one we need to get most comfortable using
• Why asking for favors is a trap and inappropriate in the manager/employee relationship
• How asking for favors softens the flow of communication and distracts from what needs to get done
• How to get out of the favor trap by getting clear on what needs to happen and communicating with specificity

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Chris said:

Receiving help is essential for getting done what needs to get done.

My big lesson: don’t ask for favors.

We are in the business of retail leadership, where clear communication is rewarded.