Take No Prisoners is a free weekly memo from Scott Wintrip that explores how Radical Accountability prospers companies and changes lives. Instead of taking people hostage with outdated, heavy-handed, and ineffective methods of management, measurement, and motivation, Radical Accountability focuses on creating an unwavering responsibility for getting what matters most done.

When two or more people put their heads together great things happen, which is why collaboration is so important. Every company has the opportunity to improve the current levels of collaboration, or create more of a collaborative culture when it does not currently exist. This week on GAIN, I’ve shared the three required elements for any organization that is practicing its ABC’s: Always Be Collaborating.

One of these elements includes adding an “er” to comments made by others as it helps them become more active participants in solving problems and engaging creativity. For example, if someone says…

…”I’m happy with the current results”, ask, “What would make you happiER?”

…”We’re already doing this pretty fast,” ask, “How would you benefit if we could do this fastER?

…”Customers are already getting good service,” ask, “What would happen if we could make it goodER?”

Of course, there is no such word as “gooder,” so you’d say “better” instead. The point is that they weren’t thinking about the possibilities of happier, faster, or better. Your job, as leader, is to get them thinking thoughts they have not yet thought. Do that and watch the collaboration, buy-in, and progress increase faster then ever.

This Week’s Radical Accountability Activating Action: There’s always an “er,” so ask people for theirs.