“Process of asking is the matrix, the indispensable experience, of nearly every form of learning”
- the Matrix of 'Asking'
* Process of 'Asking' - the missing link - encompasses the activity of asking the all-important questions pertaining to "How are we doing?" Then thanking the participants to demonstrate appreciation and repeating the process. Also continuously aligning the feedback to match the desired operational results. This would include getting support from supervisors and internal groups to help determine what to ask, who to ask, how to ask, when to ask, and where to ask.
Truly a human experience which begins with virtually everyone as an infant. The process is part of human nature, producing experiences which are the essence of learning. Enabling this process in a setting such as the dynamics of relationships of an organization will ensure that you lay the foundation for long-term accountability which crosses all variances in levels of culture, education, commitment, interests, intentions, knowledge, and experiences.
Assessing & Sharing Feedback - while these critical activities are part of the Practice we show it separate to identify which 'soft skills' come from each activity. The distinction is important because traditionally enterprises initiate the Process of asking at the senior management level and then assess and share the feedback with the front-line management. This is fine, as it helps provide structure and determine the "what" needs to be done at the operational frontline. But if the front-line managers do not follow-through by leading the asking with their teams they will be severely hampered in developing long-term the soft skills represented by quadrants D and C.
We want to emphasize that those skills highlighted in quadrant A are important and critical for structure in the the enterprise even though they are not as directly impacted by the two activities. As such, quadrants B, C, and D do not replace those skills in A but compliment them and help front-line managers lead the relationships which quadrant A manages. Quadrant C provides the follow-through or ability to maintain long-term the areas in Quadrant A.
In fact, we have found that in most enterprises the closer you move to the front-lines the greater the need for managers to lead and manage at the same time.