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Don’t settle for less than the best
/in Ideas to help you build a solid team/by Tom DoescherThe most successful companies focus on developing the best team members possible. It is an ongoing process, and includes both continually raising the bar on existing team members and occasionally adding and grooming new team members. Businesses that become complacent and satisfied with their performance eventually lose to more innovative, aggressive competitors. Do you have key positions in your company that you know should be filled by more capable players? As the leader, this is one of your most important — and probably most difficult — responsibilities.
Would you like to be referred to as human capital, or an asset?
/in Ideas to help you build a solid team/by Tom DoescherWords are important. Today, everything seems to have a fancy label — which was probably created by some well-intended consultant and then used, overused, and abused by everyone. But think about it: Would you like to be referred to as an asset, human capital, or “my guy”? Or would you prefer to be thought of as a really important team member, an invaluable player, or a key associate? How do you refer to your associates?
When associates behave like owners, good things happen
/in Ideas to help you build a solid team/by Tom DoescherA number of years ago I was on a plant tour, which I really love to do. When we arrived at a particular machining station, the owner asked the operator to explain what the machine was doing. The operator gave the most complete explanation I had ever heard, including the business case for purchasing this $250,000 machine. After she completed her explanation, I made the comment that she really knew a lot about this piece of equipment. Her response was that she had researched it and had recommended that the company purchase it. Later on, as I was reflecting on our conversation, I thought of this rhetorical question: “Do you think the operator was motivated to get that new equipment up and running smoothly fast?” How about you — do you create an environment where your associates behave as if they were the owners? Perhaps you should think about giving them the responsibility to act. If they feel empowered to act on behalf of the company, their sense of personal investment can move the entire organization further ahead, faster.
My son’s name is Kaka
/in Ideas to help you build a solid team/by Tom DoescherHere is another story from China. I was meeting with a Chinese business owner and we were getting to know one another. In an effort to build the relationship and develop a better understanding of each other, I asked him about his family. He started to tell me about the various family members, and when he came to his son, he told me that his son’s name is “Kaka.” He quickly followed it up with, “I think that means _hit in English.” Although that remark might seem “politically incorrect” and/or inappropriate in a business conversation here in the U.S., we had a good laugh and it definitely helped break the ice in a new relationship. This gentleman’s knowledge of our culture enabled him to use humor to make a connection and build a bridge. It reminded me of how important humor can be (I do not mean sarcasm, obscenity, or biting comments, but down-to-earth and genuine humor). Does your company culture make room for a healthy dose of humor when warranted?