By: Sid Chadwick
Whenever I hear an owner or senior manager brag about long hours – even holidays – they are working, and their not understanding why their organization is NOT performing better, I recognize I’m probably – standing near the problem – at that very moment, with more information needing to be gathered.
Our industry is famous for employees… “Delegating Up – the line of command.”
Examples of additional observations and information needing to be gathered, include:
What is the competence, and work ethic, of subordinates…? Is a mediocre work ethic tolerated – as part of the organization’s culture…?
When employees bring problems to the owner, how often do we hear from the owner… “What do you suggest we do…?” or, “How long has this issue been apparent…?... or “What are our options…?”
Does the owner not have any hobbies of consequence – outside of his/her company…?
Is there a lack of planning, such that most events of an ongoing nature, are reactionary, not proactive… beyond daily production scheduling…?
Is meaningful time with family relations – a priority…or generally, neglected…?
Do employees naturally defer to the owner to decide issues – way too often (with a subsequent negative affect on morale)…?
Is the owner a natural procrastinator, who’s never corrected this tendency…?
When we delegate priorities, problems, and issues needing attention – that too often folks around us are used to our solving or fixing for them, we:
Develop important personal growth in our subordinates….(“When we struggle, we grow.”…Ludmila Praslova, Ph.D.)
We develop an additional sense of personal pride and accomplishment – in our subordinates, and the Team around them.
We develop depth and strength – in the Team, that acts as a model for developing leadership in the organization, that can be recognized for future employees’ recruitment, by customers, and by suppliers.
Finally, when “Delegation” becomes part of your organization’s culture, and you, (a) employees learn to request problems and issues needing attention less often, (b) employees request that problems be given to them, with time and results specified up front, and (c) perhaps most importantly – You are freed-up to do a better job – of leading, and managing….!
Delegate…Delegate….Delegate….!
Comentarios