Secrets to Success
Secrets to Success
Dangers of indiscriminate
deletingIf you look long enough, you will find what you are looking for. The question remains, "What are you deleting in the process of your search?"
I've seen many companies with constant turnover problems who wonder why it's so hard to find and keep loyal employees. Yet by looking at the size of their "Rewards and Recognition Manual" and comparing it to the size and scope of the company's "Policy and Procedure Manual," I can easily predict the level of turnover and employee-related problems.
Recently I had the privilege of working with a food chain company that was voted one of the best companies to work for by its employees. Despite the fact that they did not have a union to advocate for the employees, management never had the problems their competitors continued to experience when looking to recruit and retain outstanding staff. While their competitors would complain there just wasn't the pool of people to hire any more, this outstanding company continued to attract the best people. It kept plugging along, happy as a spinner dolphin out in the open ocean, finding as much food as it wanted. One company looked for excuses for its plight, and blamed it on the "economy" while the better company focused on motivating and inspiring its most important asset: its people.
Are you a leader within your company? If so, ask yourself what your beliefs are when it comes to people. You may find that it's not a "staff problem," it's a "deletion" problem. Anytime you're busy searching for all the mistakes people are making, you will find what you are looking for. But you'll also be deleting at least 10 other things they may be doing remarkably well.
Questions to consider when focusing on furthering the growth of your company:
By simply focusing on the bottom line, what are you deleting in the meantime? What message are you giving your team? People will work harder and longer for something they truly believe in, rather than complying with an administrative system focused on "getting everything right." Do you allow for mistakes? Or do people perceive you as a perfectionist who cannot be pleased?
If you believe all employees are lazy and need prodding, you will create the mentality of grazing cows, waiting to be led in the right direction. Your team members will learn not to think on their own and they will not take calculated risks. Conversely, if you believe in encouraging new ideas and fostering innovation, allowing for some mistakes in the process, you will find the most innovative team you can imagine.
Governmental agencies and traditional corporate policies tend to delete the innovative suggestions from the revolutionary few. If you have a small company, don't try to think outside the box. Instead, smash the box, and begin by focusing on those "crazy ideas" that have potential. Surprise yourself in the process of pursuing what you believe is possible.
Deborah Cole Micek, chief executive officer
of RPM Success Group, is a business success coach
and life strategist. Reach her at DCM@RPMsuccess.com
or (888) 334-8151.