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Component Manufacturing dverti$er
Don’t Forget! You Saw it in the
June 2019 #11239 Page #44
Adverti$er
Empower Your Team to Success
Ben Hershey 4Ward Consulting Group, LLC
W
hen I recently started some restructuring work for a client, I saw a sign posted on the wall. As shown in the image here, it took a sad approach to giving 100% at work.
How many of the associates on our teams show up to work on Monday with this attitude and energy level to start the week? When we try to make changes for the better, associates with this attitude are most likely to get side tracked because they think “why should I modify or improve my ways now, the situation at the company will never change.” I always coach managers and supervisors that our associates want change, they want to see change, but if we are not giving them the tools, or giving them the ability to initiate change, then their view of the company will not change. If you want to succeed, or want your company to succeed, the first thing you need to understand is that your success depends on their success. The more you empower your employees, the more they will grow and thrive. Here are some tools you can use in your lean journey that will assist in empowering your associates: Give employees generous boundaries. Contrary to conventional wisdom, boundaries don’t restrict team members; they empower them. Define the boundaries within which an employee can make his or her own decisions. In doing so, you give them freedom to act. For example, if you encourage your forklift operator to also review orders with a customer and solve problems without always consulting a manager, you empower them act without consulting a manager all the time and show your customer that your team is not only looking out for the customer but the company too. Listen intently. Too many managers try to get employees to say what they want to hear. “Tell me we will hit our production target.” This is nonsense. It is far wiser to listen carefully for the truth... and then make the appropriate changes needed in response to that truth. Believe in your employees. The best managers get outstanding performance from ordinary human beings. If you wait for a team of superstars, you will be waiting forever. Discover what each associate does best and find better ways for your teams to support each other. Bring people together to support and encourage each other. Then believe 100% in these partnerships and collaborations. Continued next page
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