Microsoft word - yourstafffeelspowerless-01291

21st Century Business Ideas
Your Staff Feels Powerless
On-line, too, through a sister technique called OSOLing [option solving on-line].) by Peter Arthur-Smith, Leadership Solutions, Inc.®
Secondly, through a team exercise like this, leaders would now have a forum to inspire their staff people to lift ‘It’s not usually possible to define people by their cover. their heads and offer respectful counsel and advice when Many times, beneath the surface, lie extraordinary talents appropriate, rather than sit on the sidelines. They would also that are waiting to be found or appreciated.’ be able to refer to the option solving technique, as a way of inviting group input in a valuable and more decision-effective Staff feeling powerless is a reality of the Great Recession.
People feel anxious for their organization to survive and they “And bosses are still zipping around trying
yearn for it to emerge at the other end stronger, fitter and to douse fires and come up with all the
positioned to succeed: with them still on board. However, answers, while their staff just stands on the
they feel stuck, perplexed and at a loss. sidelines watching and waiting.”
What is the issue? The issue is their executives are still running around in the belief that they have to be the boss. And bosses are still zipping around trying to douse fires and Additionally, it would signal to them how they can, as a come up with all the answers, while their staff just stands on team or individually, contribute in any reasonable way the sidelines watching and waiting. without incurring undue expense (different from the past, Three examples in point: A North Carolina hi-tech where they waited for money to be thrown at situations). company needs to upgrade its manufacturing efforts so that it Their depleted pocket-books are a testament to the fact that can handle orders in a more effective way. This would release such behavior cannot continue. In most cases they will, with much needed capital for other important investments. While the right attitude by their leader, find that little money is the shop floor waits, its operations director is running around needed to make significant strides in many areas. chasing budgets and putting out purchasing fires. Suddenly the deadlock is broken. Leaders feel A Florida hospital manager is running around and empowered to involve their people in a much more valuable looking for State funding, while her people are chomping at way. Our staff feel empowered to make proposals and the bit waiting to provide their input on contingency efforts to participate in a more resourceful way. When our staff doesn’t insure survival. A professional practice is feeling the pinch. Its staff Maybe our ‘command-and-control’ model is finally desperately wants to contribute in some shape or form to turn about to die: a casualty of the Great Recession! things around, but the practice owner is slow to take the bait; Give it a try. Start today. There’s everything to be beleaguered by difficult economic times. What’s wrong here? It’s the continuance of the pre- recession ‘command and control’ model. The staff people keep their heads down and perform their day-to-day job: their If you wish to learn more about empowering your staff and release a lot of positive forces within your organization, please contact: bosses run around trying to keep things afloat. Let’s be clear, within our traditional workplace cultures, our staff feels Chris Garratt –Europe- (+352) 2631 3384 or obliged to stand on the sidelines unless invited contribute. What has to change? Firstly, the boss has to change and Denise Lalonde – New York- (212) 974 1438 or become a leader instead. Leaders are well known for [email protected] gathering their team around them when required and Ed Frontera – Florida – (561) 715 0447 or LISTEN. Together they will paint a picture of “What [email protected] outcome they would like to see emerge?” and “Where do they Eileen Cuskaden – Florida – (561) 865 9038 or see themselves now?” and “What is the optimum way for [email protected] them to bridge the gap?” (NOTE: It would be particularly Holly Duckworth – Oregon – (503) 887 4112 or useful if they use a technique like option solving –see Jim Leonhard –California – (415) 482 7766 or examples on www.optionsolving.com – as it would help the [email protected] team to explore its most viable options and quickly choose Olger Draijer –Europe-(+352) 45 88 35 or the most favorable [potentially out-of-the-box] consensus [email protected] solution to make that option happen. This can also be done Peter A. Arthur-Smith – New York- (212) 332-8907 or 1994-2011 Leadership Solutions Inc.® (MALRC). All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.lse.lu/docs/jv/LSE%20website%20LSI%20JV%20-%20YourStaffFeelsPowerless-012911.pdf