Always Ask for Recommendations Before You Engage
Introducing the "AAFRBYE" Model—Just Kidding About the Name, But It Works! Here’s Why.
What is it
This tool is especially valuable for managers, but its benefits extend across the entire organization.
It originates from the “1-3-1 method” (which is all about simplifying decision-making by having a structured approach to engage with questions and requests), but our version focuses on empowering your employees, delegating more effectively, and saving you a ton of time.
Let’s dive into a real case I worked on. We’ll call him John. John is a high-achiever who had previously led multiple start-ups before landing a C-level role at a large company.
John was so good at his job that everyone, from his team to fellow executives, constantly asked for his opinion on every new decision.
While he enjoyed sharing his expertise, it meant he was spending up to 4 hours every day answering all the questions.
It felt like part of his job—until we implemented the “3 recommendations before engaging” mindset.
💡 After this change, John reduced his daily time spent on such queries to just 10-20 minutes, often none at all. This shift saved him over 20 hours a week, more than 50% of his normal work hours!
The tool itself is straightforward: Before you dive in and give your input, the person asking for it must provide their 3 recommendations for how to proceed.
Complexity score (and why)
Score: 4/10
While the idea seems like a no-brainer and is easy to understand, the complexity score is 4 due to the challenges in communication and implementation.
Getting everyone on board with this approach can be tricky, but the benefits are significant. It gives employees more autonomy, enhances their decision-making skills, and boosts overall efficiency and innovation in the workplace.
But, it’s crucial to roll it out correctly to avoid any negative effects.
How to implement
If you want to roll this out without a hitch and make sure your team embraces it fully, check out my Effectivity Playbook. It’ll guide you through the process with a 100% guarantee of success. Read more here in the book.
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