CHAPTER 25: NO ONE LIKES TO TAKE ORDERS

Owen D. Young never gave a direct order to anyone. He always gave suggestions, not order. Owen D. Young never said, for example, “Do this or do that,” or “Don’t do this or don’t do that.” He would say, ”You might consider this,” or ”Do you think that would work?”

He always gave people the opportunity to do things themselves; he never told his assistants to do things; he let them do them, let them learn from their mistakes. A technique like that makes it easy for a person to correct errors. A technique like that saves a person’s pride and gives him or her a feeling of importance. It encourages cooperation instead of rebellion.

PRINCIPLE 25: Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.