Back to Basics: Empower Your Team by Stopping the Cycle of Interruptions

Do you ever feel like your entire workday is consumed by constant interruptions?

The phone rings, people pop into your office, and before you know it, the clock has ticked away, and you’ve barely made a dent in your to-do list. And what’s worse, the majority of these interruptions are questions that your team members should be able to answer themselves without you. Sound familiar?

The reality is, this cycle is often self-perpetuating—and it’s something you may be unknowingly reinforcing. When you step in to provide an answer every time someone asks a question, you are teaching your team to rely on you instead of seeking the answers on their own. Even if you know the answer and it would be faster to just tell them, doing so only sets you up to keep answering those questions in the future.

It’s time to go back to basics and shift this pattern. Here’s how:

The Old Way vs. The New Way

Let’s paint a picture. You’re sitting at your desk, trying to work on a project, when one of your staff members approaches.

Staff: “What’s the new protocol for member check-in again?”

Old You: Well, this is your cue to launch into a long discussion. You end up going over the details, sharing side stories, answering follow-up questions—basically doing everything but letting the team member figure it out for themselves. Even though you’ve created a document, had a staff meeting to explain it, and emailed everyone the details, you still end up doing the same thing: answering their question in real-time.

You might feel like it’s easier in the moment, but guess what? This exact scenario is going to play out again and again unless you stop the cycle.

New You: Here’s where we make the shift. Instead of immediately answering, take a step back and gently redirect. You might respond like this:

You: “I think I sent out a document on that—go ahead and take another look. If anything is unclear after reviewing it, feel free to let me know.”

This approach reinforces the behavior you want to see: your team members looking for the answers themselves first before coming to you. And here’s the kicker—it not only frees up your time but also helps your staff build problem-solving skills and confidence. They will begin to rely on their own resources, which strengthens the entire team.

Why It Works For Your Team

By redirecting them instead of providing the answer right away, you’re giving your team the opportunity to:

1. Find the answers independently – They’ll be less likely to rely on you for basic information if they know where to look.

2. Enhance their resourcefulness – Searching for the right answers is a critical skill that strengthens their problem-solving abilities.

3. Build accountability – They become more responsible for knowing the process and following through.

4. Free up your time – You can focus on the things that only you can do while empowering your team to handle what’s within their scope.

   
   

The Power of Boundaries

If you feel a little guilty about not answering every question right away, that’s normal. But consider this: the more you step in to provide quick fixes, the more you’re preventing your team from learning how to handle things on their own. Think of your role as the guide who leads them toward solutions—not the one who hands them the answers every time.

Taking Action

Next time someone comes to you with a question you know they can figure out on their own, try this method. Redirect them to the resource you’ve already provided, and let them take the initiative to review it and ask you questions only if needed.

Check out THE LIFT for more practical tips like this one. Let’s break the cycle of interruptions and help our teams grow into more independent, confident professionals!