Almost every organisation I come across these days seems to
be under pressure and all are chasing an elusive, better, improved future. Many
have attempted to apply various methodologies, Lean, six sigma, theory of
constraints etc., etc. They have applied change and change management
principles to their frontline people, their frontline management and even their
middle management tiers. Many are still struggling, few ever realise a
sustainable change despite their best efforts and 80% plus will give up within
2 – 3 years and move on to the next big thing claiming previous methodologies
don’t work in their situation.
This conclusion is, in most cases, a fallacy.
Executives, it’s time to wake up! Take a look a bit closer to
home, ask yourself where and how you have failed your people your communities and
not least your organisations and where you can do better. If you want change in
your organisation YOU will have to be an active part of that change, it takes a
whole of team effort and unless you are on the bus you will fail, guaranteed.
Now is the time to shift focus, widen your horizons and learn
new ways to engage your people to willingly assist you in developing and
building your new world beating organisation.Your challenge number one is to forget all that you currently
think of as management or leadership and adopt a brand new approach if you
truly want to make change happen.
Here’s 10 ways that YOU will have to change
1. No-one ever
became the world’s best in 2 or 3 years, accept it. You are in for a long, but
exciting, ride. Athletes or artists or musicians don’t become no.1 overnight,
it takes focus, development and persistence on a constant and continuous basis.
This same principle applies in business.
2. Do not set
end point goals and targets, the best organisations never get to the end, they
have an acceptance that there is no end; they are focussed on CONTINUOUS
improvement and development.
3. Forget
quick wins and low hanging fruit, gather these on the way as you’re passing but
set your goals much farther afield.
4. Cost
reduction breeds a negative mindset, leave it alone, and focus on growth and
expansion instead. Spending time on identifying and eliminating waste in your
organisation will give you and your people more time to add value for your
customers (whilst coincidentally reducing cost as a result) It won’t be long
before you will be looking for more sales, products or revenue streams. These
things are all positive for the organisation and create positive opportunities
for your people.
5. Once you
have your long term vision and goals set do not forsake them for the short
term.
6. Forget the
notion that you know best. Accept that this accolade belongs to the value
adding people in your organisation. Those who without which your organisation
wouldn’t exist. Your workers.
7. Realise
that your work consists not of telling people what to do, but rather of asking
them how you can support them in improving and making their work easier.
8. Take a look
at the seat of your pants, if there is sheen then you are spending too much
time in your office and have done so far too long. You cannot understand your
business or your people from behind a computer or sat in your ivory tower.
Getting amongst it and talking to your people is not that scary, try it
sometime and make it a daily habit.
9. When
problems arise seize the opportunity to develop yourself and your people. Don’t
waste time or demonstrate a lack of respect by looking to apportion blame, demand
and visibly assist in the effort to seek out understanding, root cause and
countermeasure.
10. Extend your vision not only in terms of timelines but
also in holistic business. Focussing your efforts on improving the performance
of organisational silos will only deliver a fraction of the benefit of drawing
back your focus to the whole of business level. To do this you must maintain a
clear understanding of and focus on delivering value, and only that, to your
customer.
Do you think you can do this?
Yes? – Great, you have a chance and an opportunity to build
something great.
No? – Get the lifebelts out, you’re going down!
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