Creating the Team You`ve Always Wanted !
by Shane L. Durbec

Let`s suppose for just a moment that the majority of our employees are actually honest, good people, and have integrity. They have a strong work ethic and enjoy working with other people to accomplish common goals. The truth is this description fits the laboring majority quite accurately. So, we ask ourselves why is it so hard sometimes to identify these traits in our employees?

I think the key to all success stories dealing with employees and employers is the basic relationship established between the two parties. All too often it is an "US" agianst "THEM" scenario. The truth is it starts with "US". Most managers say they act as leaders to their troops. Leadership means giving clear and reasonable direction to the people they are leading. They demand respect from their employees but then show such a lack of respect in return. They expect their employees to trust them with confidential information only to have it used against them at a later time to implicate them in a "Performance" issue. They tell them they desire honesty and then continue to lie about issue after issue rather than facing the tough topics with brutal honesty. Does any of this sound like reasonable direction?

I believe that we are all just flesh and blood people, with feelings and emotions, politics and opinions, morals and personal dilemas. The fact is if we want honesty from our employees, let`s be honest. Brutally honest if necessary. If we want trust, then let`s give them a reason to trust us. And if we want respect, let`s display a little mutual respect for their dedication and work ethic. Let`s pretend for just a moment they are just like us. They want the same things - they want to be successful, they want to feel like they have contributed to some "Greater Good", they want to make money, and they want o be recognized for their efforts. Sounds a whole lot like "US" doesn`t it?!

How about telling them you think they are doing a great job. I don`t mean just saying thanks. I mean posting a memo telling them you appreciate their efforts. Personally visiting your employees and shaking their hands to let them know you want them to hear it from you. Sitting and eating dinner with an employee to listen to their great ideas. Giving them credit for an idea or procedure they`ve given to your organization that will improve it in any way whatsoever. What about walking around every day and actually talking to the people and getting to know their names as if it were important to know who helps you achieve your goals. You`d be amazed how such a simple thing like recognition can do for esprit de corps.

Create the team you`ve always wanted. Tell a group of people what your expectation is. Make it clear, draw a visual picture in their minds with detailed directions. Give them the resources to accomplish the end result. Ask them to assign themselves individual responsibility in accomplishing the goal and let them decide a realistic timeline. Tell them you believe they can do it and you know they have the ability to do it. I`ll bet you they accomplish it in record time! Let your team take individual ownership of a project or goal and it becomes theirs! You have out your trust in them, empowered them to make decisions but most importantly you have let them own part of the process. An order is just an order. Ownership creates pride and integrity. They have made the decision to accomplish a project with reasonable direction. It`s reasonable because they`ve decided the parameters of responsibility and the time line.

Manage your people for success. If you want everyone in your organization to actually achieve the desired result then tell them up front exactly what the expectation is in clear unobtrusive language. If an employee isn`t doing a particular task in a successful manner, then it should be your mission to personally show that individual how you want it completed. The moment you have assigned an employee a prject or task without clear expectations, you have left too much to personal interpretation and have set them on a path of failure. You must always be willing to walk someone through a task, procedure, or project to make sure they get it right the first time. Coaching your staff will help them refine their personal performance. If every employee is able to perform their duties in a highly successful manner, just think of the productivity you`ve accomplished. Then, once an employee has grasped an idea, procedure, or project put your trust in them to personally train others toward the same success.

We all spend a large portion of our life at work, struggling to make enough money to fulfill the wants and needs of our personal lives. So why not be positive and get a little bit of fulfillment from it. Who syas we can`t enjoy working with our employees? Who says we have to be unfeeling because "we pay them to work for us". Just because we pay them doesn`t mean that we own them. What will hold you back from saying, "Thank you for doing a great job. You helped me and I appreciate it!" The worst that can happen is they might think you`re human just like them.

Some employers say that the reward for working is the money they pay their employees. Not only is this pathethic but they are missing out on a lot more revenue for their company by treating their employees in such a manner. Try just for a short while showing appreciation to the people who help make you successful. Watch how much more you accomplish as a team. Watch as people start working harder, learning to correct their mistakes and go out of their way to make things happen. Watch as your time becomes more available because the people who you have taken the time to show respect and trust have taken intiative to tak eon new responsibilities. They want to prove to you and themselves they are worthy of respect and appreciation.

Be positive in the way you treat your staff and they will want to follow you because they respect and appreciate you as their leader. The more they understand your example as a leader the quicker they become leaders by example. If you show you employees that you genuinely appreciate them, they will believe that you are sincere in caring about your customers. If your customers believe you sincerely appreciate their business they will want to return again for the same kind of "Personalized" service. This is the way the customers appreciate your service, products, and efforts. And if you`re appreciated by your customers.....it`s that much easier to appreciate your employees for doing such a great job taking care of your customers!