How I proceed depends on your question and goal. But I always go back with people to the core: what is it about? How can we arrange things in a smart and easy way?
Strange eyes compel. As an outsider, I can ask enlightening - sometimes confrontational - questions that are harder to ask as a manager. Offer new perspectives. Simplify what seems oh so complicated. This makes it clear to people what is going on. They see solutions for themselves.
I also make sure that solutions are implemented. And I come back. Talk to people again. Give a pat on the head here, a kick in the butt there. Of course I use tried and tested methods and techniques. Whatever I do, the result is always: support, focus and new energy!