Some parents use this simple but effective technique with their small children: Rather than commanding their children to eat everything on their plate, they give them a sense of control by asking, "What do you want to eat first, the broccoli or the potatoes?" 

Now, far be it from me to compare your colleagues to toddlers, but here's the deal: Adults aren't super keen on being told what to do either! Which is why offering your colleagues a menu of options whenever possible is a great strategy. Offering a menu helps people feel more autonomous and in control of their destiny. And rather than presenting a binary option where the choices are 'yes' or 'no', offering a menu helps move people to a 'yes' because now it's just a matter of which 'yes' they choose.    

When I researched inspiring companies on my trip to Helsinki, I learned how the award-winning company Vincit builds this practice into their hiring approach. Candidates select where they want their first meeting to take place from a drop-down menu on their website: In a cafe; over lunch; over a walk; or at a Vincit office. They even choose who will interview them based on a video menu of potential interviewers. They offer these menu options to send a message about Vincit's culture and to help candidates put their best foot forward by giving them as much control over their own hiring process as possible. 

You might be surprised at how many things can be turned into menu options and what a powerful tool it can become. And by adding a random fun option ("Or would you prefer to be communicated with via interpretive dance?") it's also a great place to inject a bit of wacky humor!