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April 2013 Issue #151 |
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Greetings, Developing the habit of deep thinking in those that are used to menu-driven choices takes time. Is it worth the effort? Scroll down to read or click here to hear three strategies that are worth implementing in your work place (2 minutes, 35 seconds).
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To your success! Managing Director Connect with Bob:
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Make Them Think Some of you will recall the conversation I had with the manager of an Old Navy Store. She had developed a list of more than 50 tasks that she could assign to her employees to make sure they were always occupied with something to do. I told her that she was simply enabling them rather than making them think. She responded that her job was not to make them think, but to make sure the store turned a profit. If that meant telling them exactly what to do at all times, so be it. I have thought about that conversation a number of times since I know it reflects the reasoning of many managers. The question is the impact on young minds when work is delegated in nothing but declarative sentences. It’s important to be functional for the purposes of productivity and profit. But between the dumbed- down media, the endless menu-driven cues and baby-step instructions, it’s no wonder that these same managers complain about a lack of common sense among young workers. At what point are these emerging contributors forced to develop an accomplished sense of reasoning? So what to do? Here’s what I see some managers doing. First, they take a couple of minutes to explain the big picture. One retailer teaches everyone how the store makes money. It’s not rocket science, but establishing a clear set of procedures and executing them consistently can result in a healthy profit. When employees know that, they are more likely to think for themselves and offer suggestions. Second, I see some managers establishing an ethic of critical thinking by simply expecting it. Tom Watson, the legendary CEO of IBM was famous for posting signs around the office that simply read "THINK." I sometimes wonder if we should resurrect that idea. Third, I see managers who simply take the time to help employees think through day-to-day challenges rather than answering their questions. Can it be awkward and time consuming? Sure, but most employees adapt to this type of supervision amazingly fast if you give them the opportunity. The next time someone asks you for the answer, don’t give it to them. Make them think! |
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