Here is the next addition of tips from the Facebook page:
Lean Tip #3781 – Drive Behavior Through Recognition.
When employees are recognized for productive behaviors, they are much more likely to repeat those behaviors. This is empowering to employees because it shows them that their efforts are noticed, valued and appreciated.
On the flip side, many employees do not feel they are sufficiently recognized; if employees put in their best effort and it goes unnoticed, chances are they aren’t going to feel empowered to continue to excel.
Lean Tip #3782 – Focus on the End Results, Not the Process
Nothing kills employee empowerment quite like micromanaging. You’ve already set the guidelines—let your employees choose how to work within them. This will empower employees to work in a way that’s ideal for the individual rather than following an impersonal process. After all, the finished product is more important than the steps it took to make it.
Lean Tip #3783 – Provide Cross-training and Learning Opportunities
People want to feel like they’re moving forward in their careers. Encourage your employees to branch out and take an active interest in other departments. This enables employees to develop and hone their skills—and gives you multifaceted team members who are eager to utilize their talents in their work.
Lean Tip #3784 – Collaborate With Others to Problem Solve
Many managers try to protect their people at all costs, thinking that by handling all the issues for the department, they’ll keep everyone happy. Unfortunately, that not only leaves team members feeling powerless, but it also takes opportunities away.
Challenging your workforce by allowing them to solve their own problems facilitates empowerment, sparks innovation, and shows you trust and value your staff. Next time you’re faced with a tough decision, see if your staff can help; you’ll probably find them willing to get involved.
Lean Tip #3785 – Back Up Your People
If you’re prepared to empower your employees (and you should be), you also need to accept that you have a responsibility to support them and their decisions. That means helping when they ask for assistance and giving credit when they succeed. You’ll also need to fight for them when people question their expertise and even allow them to make mistakes—within reason, of course.
It takes more than simply bestowing responsibility on someone to fully empower them; it takes believing they can do a good job without your help and allowing them to do it. A good team stands together regardless of hierarchy and supporting your team can create a sense of belonging and loyalty.
Lean Tip #3786 – Cultivate a Culture of Trust to Empower Employees
Trust is the foundation of any healthy work environment. To empower your employees, foster a culture of trust and open communication. Encourage feedback, listen to their ideas, and demonstrate that their opinions matter. Show appreciation for their efforts and provide constructive feedback to help them grow professionally.
Lean Tip #3787 – Provide Opportunities for Skill Development
Investing in your employees' growth is a win-win strategy. Offer training and development programs that enhance their skills and knowledge. Not only does this improve their performance, but it also shows that you value their professional growth, leading to higher job satisfaction and loyalty.
Lean Tip #3788 – Empower by Encouraging Open Dialogue
Create opportunities for employees to share their ideas and concerns openly. Regular team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, and suggestion boxes are excellent channels for fostering open dialogue. Act on valuable feedback and demonstrate that you value employee input.
Lean Tip #3789 – Foster a Positive Work Environment
A positive work environment has a significant impact on employee motivation and productivity. Encourage teamwork, collaboration, and a sense of community. Be attentive to workplace dynamics and address conflicts promptly. An inclusive and supportive environment will make employees feel valued and empowered.
Lean Tip #3790 – Empower Employees with a Growth Mindset
Encourage a growth mindset within your organization. Emphasize that failures are opportunities for learning and improvement. Celebrate effort and resilience, not just outcomes. When employees embrace a growth mindset, they are more likely to push their boundaries and achieve their best.
Lean Tip #3791 – Changing Culture is Hard and Takes Time.
There are moments when you are going to feel like you haven’t made a difference, and you don’t know what to do next. Find support. Go to conferences. Find a mentor. Inside or outside of your company, finding support will help you get through those down times. The lean community is full of people who are very willing to share and teach what they have learned.
Lean Tip #3792 – Customize the Tools to Fit Your Company.
Not every lean tool will be applicable to your company. Find the tools that fit, and systematically make them part of your company’s culture. As I’ve toured many companies, I’ve learned that no two tools are exactly alike. What works for one company, may not work for another, but the principles are the same. Learn from others, and adapt the tools to fit your needs.
Lean Tip #3793 – Don’t Try to Learn Everything All at Once.
One of the first things I did after starting as the lean specialist, was to try to train everyone in the company on the list of lean tools and principles we had determined we needed in our organization. In the end, it was too much to train on and too much to learn all at once. Learn and train others as you take the incremental steps to improve your understanding.
Lean Tip #3794 – The Best Way to Learn is to Try.
You can watch webinars, read books, attend training, but there is no substitute for experimenting and trying things out yourself. Holding events was scary at first, but now it’s one of the best parts of my job. I love learning about and facilitating improvement on all the processes that make my company operate, and getting to know all the people who help my company be successful. When I use the tools in an event or within my own work processes, I am able to draw from my experiences and increased understanding to use when training others.
Lean Tip #3795 – It’s OK to Make Mistakes.
There is
a saying one of the lean leaders use, and I use it, especially when I am
second-guessing the results of an event: “An improvement is an
improvement.” We learn through making
mistakes. Every event I hold, every training I give, and every time I deploy a
new tool in the company, I learn something new.
It’s not about getting it right every time. It’s about trying new
things, learning, and improving.
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