As leaders, we always want to improve the performance of our organization. To do that, we need to unleash the creativity of our people; leaders need to be engaged in the work of their people. Not everyone knows how to do this, but maybe it's not so different from training a puppy. Below are seven common themes used when training puppies.
1.A suitable kennel, which should not be too large, but should have just enough room to stand up, turn around and lie down. Most puppies do not make it into the ground where they lie down. Too much space in your business attracts waste. Excess inventory, outdated machinery, old files and other clutter litter a space that is too large.
2) Schedule all feeding times at the same time each day. In Japanese companies, there is a practice called the "manager's walk," in which a manager walks through his or her area at the same time each day. A topic is selected for each walk, questions are asked about that topic, and information is shared. This is an effective way to learn and share information.
3) Spend as much time as possible with your new puppy, this encourages him to do the things you ask him to do. In order to unleash the creativity of our employees, a manager must participate in the work of their employees. They need to take employees' ideas and encourage employee participation in the company.
4) Take your puppy out of the kennel first thing in the morning to the area you have designated as his elimination area. When your puppy does his business, praise and reward him. Your company also needs a consistent procedure for getting started. Perhaps a brief discussion of what needs to be done today to reach a common understanding of today's goals. Be sure to discuss some of your employees' ideas and come up with a plan for how you will challenge your employees to make the company better. Also, think of topics for your "manager walk."
(5) Proper housekeeping is critical to good housekeeping. A puppy will return to where it previously did its business if it is not properly cleaned. Your workspace also needs to be properly maintained. Sort through your materials and remove anything that is not needed. Necessary materials should be properly stored so everyone knows where everything belongs. Clean equipment, tools and the work area. This is the foundation for both safety and equipment maintenance.
6 Prevention and positive encouragement are the best ways to teach your pup. Once an employee has found a solution to a problem, implement a procedure or device to prevent the problem from occurring again. Respond to your employees' ideas. Praise them, show respect, thank them, and treat them as you would want to be treated. Review how their ideas can or cannot be implemented and give positive feedback.
7 Punishment will not help. Yelling or hitting only creates fear, confuses, and trains your puppy to do into the ground in your absence. Enough said.
Copyright © 2005 Chuck Yorke - All Rights Reserved
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