Employee doesn't think through all options before speaking to me
Hi Everyone, I need some advice.
I run a company with only one employee. We are similar and age and their position is not significantly beneath mine.
In general, I'm beginning to realize that my employee will often not think through all of the context of something before suggesting that we do it. For example, we need to send in some governmental documents, which have extensive application processes, and they sent me a page full of details that they had not double checked to make sure they were correct. That would be fine, as that's the kind of mistake I've definitely made before, but rather than it being something that they see as a mistake, I think it's just generally how they approach work.
Another example, today they mentioned to me that we should "build the website more," but with no further explanation on why, with what information, for what reason, etc. Of course, I then follow up in all of these instances asking these questions, but I worry that my questions aren't reaching them with the message of please have all of this in mind before suggesting something, but instead feels a bit like I'm questioning them.
I think that one of the things contributing to this is that we are in a two-person company, and when you work, you normally collaborate with your coworkers. But, I'm getting very tired of having to double check their work or reasoning on every single thing we talk about. I do not get the sense that they spend any time thinking to themselves about the things that they work on or suggest before turning to me to announce them.
Is there a productive way I can encourage them to take a moment and think things through before coming to me? I don't want it to feel like I'm putting them down or scolding them, especially over something so small.