Following Up

How often do you follow-up with your people on a project?

Do they know that?

Different people need different frequencies of follow-up of course. You may have some superstars who hardly ever need follow-up and will still get their tasks done. Then there are those who if you do not follow-up frequently will not get their tasks delivered.

As a leader, how do you decide when to follow-up?

I like to ask the people I'm working with when they would like follow-up. If their answer makes sense (and most of the time it does) then that's what I go with. The follow-up happens on their schedule and they are prepared to report their progress.

If their answer does not make sense all that means is that the conversation continues until we reach agreement on a schedule that does make sense. Maybe I've underestimated the time they need. Maybe they are more responsible than I'd expected. Maybe they have information I need to know, but not until a certain time. It's also possible that they've underestimated how important their work is to the project and so agree to move their follow-up schedule up.

But follow-up is necessary.

If your people don't expect you to follow-up what exactly are you expecting?

Have that conversation. Reach agreement on when you will check up on them. And then do it.

You'll be glad that you did.

Douglas Brent Smith

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