Lean Tip #2791 – Reward Innovations and
Efficiency to Increase Productivity 

It’s assumed that you hire individuals who have
the talent and drive to get the job done to your satisfaction. Let employees
know they have your trust and support by giving them the latitude to introduce
new methods and seek solutions to boost efficiency, rewarding those who
demonstrate true innovation. By encouraging and compensating workers who show
independent initiative, you cultivate an environment where workers see a
correlation between their own success and that of the company.

Lean Tip #2792 – Supply Professional
Development Opportunities

Keep your office up-to-date on the latest
technologies and techniques by providing expert group-training sessions. Make
outside courses and education opportunities available on a voluntary basis,
going as far as to offer reimbursement for course work that enhances employees’
ability to do their jobs. You’ll not only be keeping your staff on the cutting
edge while developing talent, but also supporting those with the drive and
desire to get ahead.

Lean Tip #2793 – Spotlight Excellence Amongst
Your Team

As much as you strive to sets high expectations
of productivity, you also need to let individuals know when they have done a
great job. Take time at monthly meetings or annual events to spotlight and
reward staff members who have demonstrated excellence, going beyond individual
awards to recognized entire groups when they have met and exceeded goals. Never
underestimate the power of positive reinforcement, where a simple pat on the
back or thank you for all the hard work can go a long way toward building
relationships and developing loyal, dedicated employees.

Lean Tip #2794 – Make Your Employees Part of
the Bigger Picture

Informing the team is key to running a
successful business. In order to have great communication and trust, it’s great
to talk about the company’s future and goals for the upcoming months or years.
This will make them feel valued and demonstrate to them that their hard work is
going towards something great for the company.

Lean Tip #2795 – Make Respect a Priority

There’s a difference between respecting
employees only for the work they do and respecting them as individuals … and
you can bet your employees can tell the difference. Productive employees are
employees who feel respected for the people they are.

It’s a simple but very effective strategy to
not only increase employee productivity in the workplace but cultivate
employees who won’t think twice about going above and beyond for you. 

Encourage employees to express their opinions
in meetings. Don’t talk over them or cut them off. Praise good ideas.

Lean Tip #2796 – Trust Employees to Make Decisions

When important information is accessible,
everyone will understand the goals of the company and feel empowered to make
better decisions independently. Make sure that high-level priorities are
communicated to all team members so everyone understands what they’re working
toward.

Lean Tip #2797 – Ask Questions For Transparency

Asking questions demonstrates a sense of
humility and transparency because you recognize your need to improve and learn.
Asking questions is also a great way of encouraging others to explain what they
don’t know. This environment creates a learning experience where people share
their knowledge with others. Transparency in asking questions reveals any
additional training that employees need and the difference in employee
knowledge. 

Lean Tip #2798 – Make Face-to-Face Interactions
a Priority.

Technology has most definitely broken down the
barriers of communication. Thanks to email, Teams, or Skype, you can check-in
on how your team members are doing, get everyone on the page, or get to know
each better. And, while that’s awesome, nothing beats face-to-face
communication. 

Walk around the office and strike up
conversations with your staff when they’re not focused on their work. Have
lunch with them. And schedule one-on-one meetings with them. Not only does this
build up your rapport with your employees, but it also allows you to discuss
sensitive issues or exchange ideas in a safe and private environment.

Lean Tip #2799 – Encourage Ownership.

When assigning or delegating responsibilities, you
can motivate your team by granting them autonomy. For example, instead of
micromanaging your team, let them work however they prefer. If possible, allow
for flexible schedules and the opportunity to work wherever they like. It’s a
simple way to show that you trust them. And it also lessens your workload.

The key is to ask them what they need to get
the job done. It’s then up to you to get them this information and resources
and coach them from the sidelines.

Lean Tip #2800 – Act on Feedback.

Speaking of feedback, you need to do more than
solicit it. You also need to act on it. The reason? It shows that you’ve
listened to your employees. And, even better, it lets them know that you’re
actively taking measures to improve processes, systems, or even your leadership
style.

Even better, get your employees in on the
decision-making process. Discussion about decisions is a great way to empower
employees and keep them engaged. You will make better business decisions if you
listen to additional information form your team before making your final
determination.

Lean Tip #2801 – Understand that Leadership is
a Privilege. 

Too many bad bosses look on employee problems
as an unwelcome intrusion on their time. They unconsciously wonder why the
employee can’t “fix” the problem on their own. Instead, treat each such
interaction as an opportunity to forge a deeper connection with that employee
and revisit the values you want them to hold to and display.

Lean Tip #2802 – Recognize that Your Employees
are Human.

They are individual human beings who are driven
by fundamental human urges. They also want to be happy and free from suffering.
While you have to ensure that organizational goals are met, do so in the
context of each person’s personal learning and growth.  It’s your challenge to foster this — it’s
also where you should be spending a good chunk of your time.

Lean Tip #2803 – Promote Creativity. 

Procedures have their place in a bureaucracy
but they also keep stultify creative impulses. Examine policies that have
become entrenched and ask what would happen if you abolished them. Encourage
your employees to suggest what should be eliminated and what should be
modified. If this is a sincere effort, energy will flow and engagement will
rise.

Lean Tip #2804 – Stop Selling to Your
Employees, Show Them How Their Contributions Matter 

Stop selling your employees about why they need
to perform better.  Explain why their
contributions help solve problems and contribute to the company’s
advancement.  Employees are more inclined
to step up their game when they know their work can add-value to the healthier
whole.

For example, I would always show my team the
outcome of their collected efforts.   We
would go to the manufacturing plant and watch a new product on the production
line or to the stores to see new label designs 
on the shelves.   Inspire
performance by connecting the dots of your employees’ efforts.

It’s not only about what you are trying to
sell, but also what the team is able to solve along the way.

Lean Tip #2805 – It’s About Learning, Not
Lecturing

Employees are tired of being told what to
do.   They are eager to learn and remain
relevant.   But they find it difficult to
be inspired by leaders who only inflict fear.   
In today’s fast-paced world, people don’t have time for lectures; they
want continuous coaching and leaders that are paying attention.  Eager to grow, they want objective feedback.

Simplify the process.  Don’t exhaust your employees through
complexity and buzz-words.    People seek
direction that is too the point.  Remember,
most people have mastered the art of execution. 
Let your employee do their jobs well by providing the right tools and
support to make them better at carrying out their roles &
responsibilities.  Be a great teacher,
but quickly shift into facilitator mode.  
People are inspired when given the opportunity to learn how to do new
things. Stop lecturing and start teaching.