Want to Be a Better Leader? Stop Emailing So Much!

Business guru Jeffrey Hayzlett offers this tip to energize and empower your staff.

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By Dan Bova

Including your employees in conversations surrounding your business is vital to its success. In his book The Hero Factor, author Jeffrey Hayzlett offers this advice for getting those important conversations going in a constructive way:

"Get your butt out of your chair, walk over to a desk, and ask a question to someone's face! Ask a question that opens people up and requires a thoughtful answer—the more personal and less work-driven, the better."

It's one thing to send an employee an email saying "do this task," but to get the best results, talk about it face to face. Answer questions, and ask questions. Having a deeper dialogue lets your employee knows how this one task is part of a bigger plan -- and opens the possibility of them offering insights on how to make it even more effective.

Learn more great leadership lessons by picking up The Hero Factor, on sale now.

Related: 15 Mistakes Successful Leaders Know to Avoid

Dan Bova

Entrepreneur Staff

VP of Special Projects

Dan Bova is the VP of Special Projects at Entrepreneur.com. He previously worked at Jimmy Kimmel Live, Maxim and Spy magazine. Check out his humor writing at Planet Bova.

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