August 17, 2010
This week’s blog is written by our Master Facilitator, Natalie Sayer. A former Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Natalie is the co-author of the book, “Lean for Dummies,” (2007).
Some companies once a year have “Bring Your Children to Work” Day, where kids get to see where their parents work. Have you ever seen an employee who operates like they need a “Bring Your Mother to Work” Day”? They seem to need someone to tell them to mind their manners, treat people nicely, do their homework and to behave.
What is the cost to the organization when employees “need their mothers” at work? How likely will projects succeed and results materialize if we are waiting to be told what to do and how to act? What elephants are created with this lack of leadership?
What’s the alternative?
Enlightened leaders learned from their mothers (and fathers). They learned values, the consequences of their actions, and how to engage and bring out the best in their people. These leaders know outsourcing their leadership to “their mother” is not an option. They drive the culture, which drives results. They are conscious that their people are always watching and they model integrity, and aligned actions and words for their organization. They are conscious that small things count – like punctuality, respect, adherence to guidelines and policies.
Consider:
- How are you driving your organization to results in a way that strengthens your people and culture?
- How is your culture supporting the achievement of your stated goals?
- What behaviours are you modeling to your employees?
- What do you need to do more of, differently or better to build the culture even more?
