Find out what your team members would do as CEO

A great way to get quick strategic input is to ask your team members what they would do if they were in your role?  If you are a manager, what direction would they take the team?   If you are a CEO, in what direction would they move the company?

It feels a little scary, because your hope is that they do not say "I think you do not have a clue as to what you are doing," but at the same time, if people believe that, then I would certainly want to know.  

We engaged in this exercise recently and the items that people came up with were quite helpful.   I think that they also appreciated being consulted, and knowing that they also play a role in how the organization moves forward.  It is also important to have a culture where people feel free to speak openly....but it is very helpful as they will view the organization or your team from a very different vantage point and will come up with unique perspectives that you would never have the opportunity to see.