Courageous minority rewrites rules of management

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Are you a courageous leader? Do you have the guts required to create a motivating environment where people feel ownership and commitment? If you are, consider yourself in the heroic minority...and a pioneer leading the way to the future.

For generations we have rewarded behaviors that encouraged supervisors to guard information and make all the decisions...now we are reinventing managers' roles. Rather than acting like "bosses" we are now asking supervisors and managers to act like facilitators and coaches. Hard-nosed bosses who called the shots are now expected to teach their employees so they can participate in calling the shots...not an easy transition.

Many managers are resisting. They don't want to give up the ownership, status and power they felt in their old roles. But what the heroic minority have discovered is that by transferring those feelings to their employees, their influence and impact doesn't shrink--it increases beyond what they thought possible...

It's not easy to change old behaviors. But I've seen plenty of "old dogs" lately giving it their best shot. I've watched them ask for feedback, re-examine old behaviors and take a learning attitude. And who said they couldn't learn new tricks?

Here are some of the things I've seen these courageous people do:

·        Give their employees all the management information they used to own--the good, the bad and the ugly--but the whole truth. The transfer of this information is the very heart and soul of their management job. Rather than keep it as "job security," they have seen the wisdom of sharing it with the people who need it most to do their jobs better.

·        Teach their employees what the big picture is all about. They are explaining how to use the company's financial information to make better decisions. They are teaching employees how costs are calculated and the impact employees can have on waste of all kinds. They are teaching employees the management tools they'll need to make smarter decisions on their jobs.

·        They are bringing employees together to discuss the organization's common vision and strategy...something once reserved for only the most senior executives. They are asking their employees to suggest better ways to build the future organization. They are careful to make decisions, policies and systems that support the vision rather than always following the traditional, conventional wisdom that says cost cutting is the only strategy.

·        They are treating people with respect and dignity regardless of title, level or job duties. To the courageous leader, every employee is a partner and a stakeholder. They care more about including everyone in solving a shared problem than about egos, hierarchy and position.

·        They are willing to learn and make mistakes. These leaders ask their employees for advice, opinions and honest feedback. They take suggestions for improvement with open thanks because they know how much courage it takes for their employees to give it. They admit their mistakes and apologize when they stumble...and from this openness and integrity trust builds.

·        They are changing the very structure on which their personal power was vested. These leaders are dismantling the old hierarchy and replacing it with a structure that serves the customer instead of the internal need to control and be "efficient."

·        They are creating pay systems that show employees how to contribute to the company's bottom line. They are sharing improvement dollars with the employees who helped earn them.

·        These brave leaders are cutting a new trail for the rest of us to follow. They are making a personal commitment to change their behavior and lead their companies into the future. If you ask them they'll tell you they don't feel much like heros...it's hard, sweaty work blazing new trails and they have the bumps and scars to show for it. If you know one of these courageous leaders take the time to encourage them...we need them out front leading the way.

Would you like to bridge the commitment gap with your employees?   We provide customized training workshops for managers and supervisors, that will change behavior, create a healthy culture and build a customer-focused team.  Call us today at (800) 348-1944.