A Lean Journey 
For my Facebook fans you already know about this great feature. But for those of you that are not connected to A Lean Journey on Facebook or Twitter I post daily a feature I call Lean Tips. It is meant to be advice, things I learned from experience, and some knowledge tidbits about Lean to help you along your journey. Another great reason to like A Lean Journey on Facebook.
Click this link for A Lean Journey’s Facebook Page Notes Feed.
Here is the next addition of tips from the Facebook page:
Lean Tip #1991 – Acknowledge That You Don’t Know
Everything.
Everything.
Although you may be a leader at work or in your
field, you can still learn something new. Too many leaders think if they admit
they don’t have all the answers, they won’t be respected, but in reality, the
opposite is true. Letting your team see that you’re human will earn their
respect and loyalty. Be ready to apologize when you’ve made a mistake, and take
responsibility for your direct reports’ actions.
field, you can still learn something new. Too many leaders think if they admit
they don’t have all the answers, they won’t be respected, but in reality, the
opposite is true. Letting your team see that you’re human will earn their
respect and loyalty. Be ready to apologize when you’ve made a mistake, and take
responsibility for your direct reports’ actions.
Lean Tip #1992 – Reward Successes and Learn From
Failures.
Failures.
Too many leaders don’t stop to reward success
or recognize employees’ outstanding work but are quick to point out what people
do wrong. While it’s good management to learn from what went right or wrong on
a project, it’s also important to celebrate achievements.
or recognize employees’ outstanding work but are quick to point out what people
do wrong. While it’s good management to learn from what went right or wrong on
a project, it’s also important to celebrate achievements.
Lean Tip #1993 – Motivate Employees
A good leader motivates others. There are many
different types of leadership styles-driven, supportive, energetic and low-key,
among others. Whatever their management style, good leaders find creative ways
to motivate their team members.
different types of leadership styles-driven, supportive, energetic and low-key,
among others. Whatever their management style, good leaders find creative ways
to motivate their team members.
One way to motivate people for the long-term is
to set up data-driven systems that allow team members to excel in their
performance. The right systems help staff members to operate at their maximum
potential.
to set up data-driven systems that allow team members to excel in their
performance. The right systems help staff members to operate at their maximum
potential.
Another strategy to motivate staff members is
to implement a bonus program. The incentive should be good for both the
practice and the individual. A clearly defined bonus program that rewards team
members for meeting or exceeding practice goals allows everyone in the
organization the opportunity to improve.
to implement a bonus program. The incentive should be good for both the
practice and the individual. A clearly defined bonus program that rewards team
members for meeting or exceeding practice goals allows everyone in the
organization the opportunity to improve.
Lean Tip #1994 – Coach Your Team
Coaching helps your team reach its potential.
Effective and responsible leadership focuses on positive, specific and
practical feedback that helps team members learn, grow and excel at their
duties.
Effective and responsible leadership focuses on positive, specific and
practical feedback that helps team members learn, grow and excel at their
duties.
Coaching encompasses a variety of techniques
including informal feedback during the workday, formal performance reviews,
one-to-one meetings with team members, and regular staff meetings. Coaching is
an ongoing process for every leader.
including informal feedback during the workday, formal performance reviews,
one-to-one meetings with team members, and regular staff meetings. Coaching is
an ongoing process for every leader.
Lean Tip #1995 – Promote Excellence
You should have high expectations and challenge
your team to reach their potential. Think about your own experience. Have you
ever been to a course or seminar when the teacher or speaker really motivated
you? You knew that when you walked out of that program that you were going to
be a little bit better in some way. A spark had been ignited, and you were
ready to raise the bar on your performance. As the practice leader, you have to
provide that spark.
your team to reach their potential. Think about your own experience. Have you
ever been to a course or seminar when the teacher or speaker really motivated
you? You knew that when you walked out of that program that you were going to
be a little bit better in some way. A spark had been ignited, and you were
ready to raise the bar on your performance. As the practice leader, you have to
provide that spark.
Provide small and large challenges for your
team. This allows those individuals to think through problems, grow and mature,
and begin to excel in their jobs. Your team will be better for it-and so will
your practice.
team. This allows those individuals to think through problems, grow and mature,
and begin to excel in their jobs. Your team will be better for it-and so will
your practice.
Lean Tip #1996 – Lead By Example
The best way to earn the team’s respect is to
“walk the talk.” Remember, the team is always watching the dentist. The way you
behave will have a significant effect on how the team acts. If you come in late
two or three times a week, you can’t expect your staff to arrive on time. Your
team is looking to you for leadership guidance, and the best strategy is to
lead by example.
“walk the talk.” Remember, the team is always watching the dentist. The way you
behave will have a significant effect on how the team acts. If you come in late
two or three times a week, you can’t expect your staff to arrive on time. Your
team is looking to you for leadership guidance, and the best strategy is to
lead by example.
Lean Tip #1997 – Be a Passionate Leader.
If you don’t believe in your company, neither
will your employees. Start each day with a positive attitude and show
enthusiasm for projects and initiatives. Take pride in the services or products
you provide.
will your employees. Start each day with a positive attitude and show
enthusiasm for projects and initiatives. Take pride in the services or products
you provide.
Lean Tip #1998 – Encourage Employee Contributions.
Some of the best ideas can come from employees.
They interact with clients and customers every day and have an intimate
knowledge of how well practices and procedures are working. Hear them out about
ways to make improvements. Make changes that will improve their ability to do
their job.
They interact with clients and customers every day and have an intimate
knowledge of how well practices and procedures are working. Hear them out about
ways to make improvements. Make changes that will improve their ability to do
their job.
Learn Tip #1999 – Keep an Open Mind.
Be willing to look at things from a new
perspective. Encourage feedback from employees and customers and hear what they
have to say. This could ultimately lead to increased efficiency and
productivity.
perspective. Encourage feedback from employees and customers and hear what they
have to say. This could ultimately lead to increased efficiency and
productivity.
Lean Tip #2000 – Learn From Your Mistakes.
No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. The
important thing is to learn from them. Be willing to accept the blame and move
on. Use your errors to make adjustments to the way things are done so that the
same mistake does not happen again. Constantly be looking for ways to grow and
improve.
important thing is to learn from them. Be willing to accept the blame and move
on. Use your errors to make adjustments to the way things are done so that the
same mistake does not happen again. Constantly be looking for ways to grow and
improve.
By making a conscious effort to improve
yourself and your leadership abilities, you can make a positive impact on your
company. Not only can it increase productivity and efficiency, it can lead to
greater employee satisfaction. Start making changes today for a better
tomorrow.
yourself and your leadership abilities, you can make a positive impact on your
company. Not only can it increase productivity and efficiency, it can lead to
greater employee satisfaction. Start making changes today for a better
tomorrow.
Lean Tip #2001 – Motivation: Lead by Example
Have you ever arrived at work late but disliked
it when your team wasn’t running on time? Does your team need to answer all
correspondence promptly but your schedule precludes you of this standard?
it when your team wasn’t running on time? Does your team need to answer all
correspondence promptly but your schedule precludes you of this standard?
Remember that you set the tone for your team
and they will follow your example. So, your naturally respectful demeanor
(you’re courteous, right?) will luckily manifest in your team and you’ll reap
the behaviors you demonstrate.
and they will follow your example. So, your naturally respectful demeanor
(you’re courteous, right?) will luckily manifest in your team and you’ll reap
the behaviors you demonstrate.
Lean Tip #2002 – Motivation: Compliment the Team
on Their Successes
on Their Successes
Many people perform their roles without so much
as a “thank you” or “job well done” because many employers believe praise comes
in the form of the pay check. There are
more pressing matters than complimenting people on what they’re already paid to
do, right?
as a “thank you” or “job well done” because many employers believe praise comes
in the form of the pay check. There are
more pressing matters than complimenting people on what they’re already paid to
do, right?
However, to maintain team morale, you should
appeal to your team’s intrinsic motivators and acknowledge when they exert
additional effort or create new solutions. People don’t typically resign to
leave the tasks; they leave their managers. Without timely acknowledgement,
your team may feel you don’t appreciate them.
appeal to your team’s intrinsic motivators and acknowledge when they exert
additional effort or create new solutions. People don’t typically resign to
leave the tasks; they leave their managers. Without timely acknowledgement,
your team may feel you don’t appreciate them.
Lean Tip #2003 – Motivation: Be
Calm When Handling Corrections
Calm When Handling Corrections
There’s an old saying that you catch more flies
with honey than with vinegar. If you notice an employee accidentally overlooked
something that you catch, your reaction will set the tone for how they feel
about you.
with honey than with vinegar. If you notice an employee accidentally overlooked
something that you catch, your reaction will set the tone for how they feel
about you.
No matter how stressful your day, try to avoid
getting upset and instead calmly discuss the issue. To earn your team’s
respect, you’ll need to show them respect even when they’ve made errors.
getting upset and instead calmly discuss the issue. To earn your team’s
respect, you’ll need to show them respect even when they’ve made errors.
Lean Tip #2004 – Motivation: Listen to Your Employees
It’s important to hear what your team is
telling you – and actually listen. Staying silent while they talk only to
recant with your personal message doesn’t count. Pay attention to what they’re
saying – ask them questions, look into the ideas they have, and consider their
suggestions.
telling you – and actually listen. Staying silent while they talk only to
recant with your personal message doesn’t count. Pay attention to what they’re
saying – ask them questions, look into the ideas they have, and consider their
suggestions.
Good leaders listen to the team’s suggestions
and consider if it’s worth the time, money, and effort to implement.
and consider if it’s worth the time, money, and effort to implement.
Lean Tip #2005 – Motivation: Identify the
WIIFM.
WIIFM.
If you have not heard this acronym, it means
What’s In It For Me, or why should I be interested in this goal outside of the
potential inclusion of a stick or carrot? This is a great opportunity to
communicate the benefits of change for the individual, their team, the
customers they support, and the company as a whole.
What’s In It For Me, or why should I be interested in this goal outside of the
potential inclusion of a stick or carrot? This is a great opportunity to
communicate the benefits of change for the individual, their team, the
customers they support, and the company as a whole.
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