I read and hear many individuals discuss "respect for people" yet I question, do they know what that means. Respecting people isn't a coddling effort or pacification for your non adopters, nor is it just lip service of being nice. True respect for people goes well beyond the day to day pleasantries and gets into building your workforce.
Let me tell you of a story on how I build from the inside of an individual. This all starts with introduction and telling your people who you are. Common sense right? Well in the fast paced manufacturing world, I've seen my peers forget this very basic building block. Walk your new direct report around, ask them questions about their life. Where they came from. See this is where you get to know your people. Knowing your people and their backgrounds gives you a chance to utilize them effectively. I have an individual who works for me that is a bona fide formally educated diesel mechanic with the credentials to back it up. How on earth did this knowledge come about? Asking questions and getting to know this person. Knowing this, he could be effectively used as a mechanical trouble shooter on equipment. Not just a drone who punches steel. We don't want drones, we want to build people. Building people is what its all about. It is this building that develops bench strength, cross-functionality, and a healthy team dynamic.
When we as Lean leaders become myopically focused on Lean tools, we have a tendency to forget the People, of the People, Process, Culture equation that Yoda always reminds me of. It is the people that we develop into leaders which pull us forward. This is how we succeed as an organization. Development of your people. Currently we are training individuals who have asked to learn new technical tasks on the shop floor. Specifically press brake set-up and blue print reading. These individuals solicited me, as they know from the whiteboard sessions. A Lean culture is a learning culture. They want to learn as my direct reports know that they can backfill positions during times of absences and vacations. This is the type of culture and skill-set development that makes me smile. As a leader having individuals wanting to learn and verbally state, "I want to be able to help the team". Well that type of initiative is priceless. Don't forget it is also contagious. When your people want to learn, TEACH THEM.
Investing in your workforce is something that has to be done, you have an obligation to your team to invest in them if you want them to win. This is a facet of respect. For if you choose to ignore the requests for cross training and education, you will create a culture of disengagement. I've seen this happen in the past. I'll even admit I have been guilty of this in the past due to the myopic focus of "get it done". Getting it done is great, but getting it done and teaching others well... That is what we call winning.
So cowpokes there you have it. Respecting people is more than just saying "howdy", it is about developing that individual. It is about developing the team, recognizing those leaders you have working for you, getting out there and pushing a broom, not putting yourself on a pedestal, being a servant leader. Some of you who read this and know who I am and know my direct reports will tell you that I will and have cleaned the bathrooms and swept floors for them. That is part of leadership, you lead from the front and by example. It isn't rocket science, but it is mission essential.
Thank you for dropping by my campfire and reading my blog. Remember buckaroos that respecting people and the avenues that respect flows is a key component of leadership.
No comments:
Post a Comment