How an organization achieves world class quality excellence depends on its leaders within the organization, at all levels of the organization. Whether your organization has just started its quality journey with ISO certification or are ready to apply for the world renowned Deming award, the critical success factor to world class quality excellence…it’s all in the leadership!
The leadership skills that make an environment successful are the same skills that we learned when we were young. Today, motivation.
When teaching a child to walk, we take both of their hands, stand behind them, and help them take one step at a time. One step at a time - the learning experience. Practicing daily. One day we let go of one hand and the child takes wobbly steps but knows and feels the steady hand of the parent. One day, the child takes his first steps alone. They may fall but it's a new experience and the squeals from the delight of the parents motivates the child to get up and try again. One day, the child is walking all by themself (and we are now following behind them to make sure they stay out of harm's way). Each child learns at their own pace.
Coaching associates is how we lead in a team based environment. We appraise each associate, determine their strengths and weaknesses, and motivate them accordingly. •To motivate means I have to know what’s important to you; to know that means I have to listen to you; to do that means I have to talk to you: I have to tell you my requirements so that you can tell me yours.
The best coaches understand that different things motivate different people at different times of their lives. What motivated me twenty years ago has changed. My "bucket list" has been a factor for that change. Time has been a factor.
As coaches we introduce change, explain the change, document the change and parrot the reason for the change until all associates understand the change and can action it themselves. Some will stumble and others will run with it immediately. Eventually, one step at a time, the entire team will move to the continuous improvement phase. The circle will start again - introduce, explain, document and parrot. Positive reinforcement ('I knew you could do it') will encourage the team to keep moving forward and remind them (and yourself) "experience is the fruit from the tree of errors".
What three things motivate you in your personal life; in your professional life?
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