Some of the easiest, most actionable improvements to serve and engage employees are to stop activities that negatively affect the work environment.
Stop the “update and justification meeting.” Is there a meeting that only happens if one person is present? That meeting is designed for them. Stop that meeting. The need that individual has can be met a different way… without everyone having to attend that meeting. Hint: What if we all just take personal (adult) responsibility to share important information instead of having to be asked? (Follow up: I dove deep on some options for Fixing Bad Meetings.)
Stop the practice of pointing out flaws. When an observation, idea or initiative is presented, simply remove the part where we challenge the merit of what’s been shared. Instead, use the improv rule of “Yes, and…” If the team is describing why it won’t work, ask “How can we build on this to get a result that makes us even better?”
Stop solving employee problems. If your organization has a Rescuer, you also have Victims that seek out their help. Instead of cementing a dependency, break the cycle. “I will work with you to figure out how we can fix this, but it’s unfair to maintain a situation where you rely on me to make it better…”
Stop locking up supplies. We hired them. We entrust them to engage with customers. We ask them to be responsible and thoughtful with our assets. What level of trust are we expressing when they need to request approval and supervision to get a pen and some sticky notes?
Stop saying “Our People are our Greatest Asset.” Presuming it is true, employees just want to see it in deeds, not words.
Stop protecting employees from bad news. Instead, give them the gift of trust and respect by asking them to help improve the situation.
Stop using the word “busy.” Instead of saying “I’m so busy,” create the habit of saying, “I’m choosing the most important work.”Correlated bonus suggestion: Stop doing the less important work.
