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An Emotionally Intelligent Workplace: Is It For You?
“As much as 80% of adult ‘success’ comes from EQ,” said Daniel Goleman, author of “Emotional Intelligence,” and he asserts the difference between a “good” leader and an “excellent” leader is 85-95% attributable to emotional intelligence. The Center...
Into Every Life a Little Rain Must Fall - Part 1
"Into every life a little rain must fall." And into every business too. Don't have the luxury of surplus cash to fund a rainmaker for your business? Well then, it'll have to be up to you. As usual. Here's how: YOU HAVE VERY LITTLE COMPETITION ...
Meditation: Why Just Sitting There Isn't Just Sitting There
Meditation: Why Just Sitting There Isn’t Just Sitting There At first you might not think this is a tool for creativity. Meditation does typically involve sitting quietly by yourself for a period of time. No computers or pens or pads of paper...
Snatching Defeat From The Jaws of Victory
You may find the lure of an online business seductive indeed. And why not? After all, it holds the promise of true independence - time and money freedom - from the comfort and sanctuary of your own home. It tantalizes you with the promise of...
Which type of entrepreneur are you?
Do you know which type of entrepreneur you are? I didn’t until recently until a fellow entrepreneur asked me the question. She asked me, are you
A) a planned orientated person who concentrates solely on a single business model and will not rest...
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Providing a Target Yields Better Results
Did you ever wonder why employees don’t always get their best possible results for job performance? While there are many possible reasons, one that is simple to resolve is to start off with clear expectations for the job.
Imagine a military operation where no target has been defined. It would be almost impossible to succeed. Individuals may feel compelled to choose their own targets to feel a sense of accomplishment, or may take no action at all. They wouldn’t understand how their actions fit in with the overall strategic plan of the campaign, and therefore it would be difficult to make a meaningful contribution. The same thing can happen in the workplace.
Clear expectations remove the guesswork that can cause employees to do the wrong work, do work in the wrong way, or even do no meaningful work at all. The results can be frustrating for you and your employees and can lead to greater problems such as dissatisfied customers, higher costs, lower productivity and profits, lost business, unmotivated employees, employee turnover, or worse, safety hazards and accidents, or in extreme cases, loss of life.
Expectations are given in many forms. A few of the ways supervisors and managers can provide targets for employees include:
* Company or department mission statement;
* Departmental and individual goals to support corporate plans;
* Job descriptions;
* Policies and procedures;
* Safety standards; and
* Leading by example.
Expectations can also be established using the following six-step process in an interactive discussion with employees:
* Describe the job in terms of its major outcomes and how it fits into the larger picture.
* Agree on measurable performance criteria.
* Mutually identify necessary skills, resources, and guidelines.
* Determine priorities.
* Review and check for understanding and commitment.
* Set a date for an early progress
review.
Ironically, supervisors and managers are sometimes fearful that by telling employees what to do, they will alienate them or make them feel inadequate. However, more often than not, clear expectations actually comfort employees and give them the power to get the right job done, in the right way. That is not to say that supervisors should dictate every step of the way; that only stifles creativity and eliminates the possibility of improving processes. Nor does setting expectations guarantee success every time.
But don’t let these fears and risks dissuade you from providing employees with appropriate targets. Keep in mind each employee’s skill, experience, education, and preferred learning and communication styles. Provide challenges within the employee’s reach. With a clear target, and your coaching and feedback to improve aim and execution, you’ll be amazed at how well employees can hit the mark. And that kind of success can be contagious!
Reprint Information
Your organization may reprint this article for your newsletter, online publication, or mailing list. We ask that you print the:
* article in its entirety;
* byline of the writer;
* information about the writer, which is available at the end of each article; and
* contact information, including our toll-free phone number in the U.S. (800-886-2MAX) and website address (http://www.AchieveMax.com).
We would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy of the articles you reprint.
About the Author
Kathleen J. Wheelihan is a professional speaker for AchieveMax®, Inc., a firm specializing in custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Kathleen has made presentations ranging from creativity to customer service and leadership to teambuilding. For information, call 800-886-2MAX or visit http://www.AchieveMax.com.
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