Clarity in goals and direction is a must for every business leader. Without clarity of the organizational direction, employee activities won't support the overall direction. The Crass Captain, the anti-leader, doesn't feel compelled to provide this clarity to his subordinates. The results are frustration and lack of coordination between co-workers.
Goals should be clear and spelled out for all to see. Not only are they clearly stated, but they are specific in terms of deadlines and specific numbers, like earnings and other quantifiable items. For example, a sales organization would spell out “we are earning $50,000 in the month of May.” It is expressed in the present tense. An engineering team might spell out “The planning is complete,” and “detail drawings are released to the production team.” Planning routines like Microsoft Project carry out goals planning in an organized fashion. Several styles are available, but the most popular is the Gantt Chart in which task elements are shown with timeline starting and completion points. As work is completed the bar so indicates. Late starts and late activities are clearly indicated. Actual completion date is shown when accomplished.
There is a cost connected to proceeding with planned goals. This should not be a surprise. Resources need to be put in place in a timely manner so that the goals have some guarantee of succeeding. This could be planned hires, office environment expanded and arranged to receive new staff, and needed equipment put in place to accommodate activities. Computer networking is a must in a modern organization. A plan for success is a plan that includes training of managers as well as individuals in the organization. Rather that react to day to day conditions the organization plan drives activity, which flows from the plan in place. All of this appears on the master plan.
Rather than drifting aimlessly day to day, the organization is driven by the plan to meet short term and long term goals, and individual activities are paced by what the plan indicates. Weekly reports indicate how individuals are measuring up to the goals on the plan. This periodic feedback will be cause to put corrections in place so that the goals are met. These corrections could be in the form of short term staff adjustments and realignments to meet the needs of the unit needing assistance.
Without the discipline of a project schedule with attendant weekly report updates, activities drift aimlessly like a ship without a rudder. Work, any kind of work, will be found to fill the allotted time, and nothing is accomplished. The manager becomes frantic when his goals are not met, and the worker wonders why sparks are flying from the direction of the boss’s office. Organized published schedules are the answer, and it is easy to learn to initiate, update, and report to those involved in the project.
Get Higher Performance Through Employee Empowerment
An empowered workforce can accomplish remarkable things. Start with star performers with potential. Then empower your employees and supercharge your people for high performance.
Why is Work Process so Vitally Important?
Having good, clear, documented work processes is not beaurocratic. Following a process does not take longer. Conversely, a good, clear work process actually streamlines a lot of employee work and reduces stress. Everyone knows exactly what they are supposed to do. Better teamwork is a major benefit.
The Importance of Employee Trust in Management - Announce What It Will Be, Then Do It
In order for a business to thrive, employees must believe in and trust their management. Management must believe in and trust employees. Distrust has many negatives to the business. Building trust is a worthwhile effort.
