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Even the best motives in the world can't
finish a job. Harold Green said, "It is an immutable law in business
that words are words, explanations are explanations, promises are
promises - but only performance is reality."
Productivity is vital to your success and that of your organisation.
The minute your organisation ceases to progress, it will start to fall
back. When a recent survey, conducted by Accountemps, asked executives
and personnel directors what would be the most influential factor in
determining the value of an employee to their organisations, 66% named
specific accomplishments.
How is your people's productivity? Do they move from one task to the
next in an efficient manner, or are they doing a lot of churning
without producing much butter? If your people's productivity level
could use a little boost, remember these simple keys to help them
effectively get things done and become valuable players on your team:
1. WHAT GETS PICTURED GETS DONE. Experts cite that 89% of what people
learn comes by way of their visual sense. In other words, the first
step toward completing a task is picturing it completed. When you
delegate a task to your people, make a point to help them capture your
vision for what the completed task will look like.
2. WHAT GETS MODELLED GETS DONE. The number one motivational principle
is that people do what people see. Whitley David said, "A good
supervisor is a catalyst, not a drill sergeant. He creates an
atmosphere where intelligent people are willing to follow him. He
doesn't command; he convinces." One of your best sources of incentive
to productivity is gained by visibility in the workplace. Your people
should see that you don't just supervise, you produce as well.
3. WHAT GETS REWARDED GETS DONE. Paul Schumann says, "Make heroes out
of employees who personify what you want to see in the organisation."
And he's right. People learn quickly what gets applauded and what does
not in your organisation. Create an environment for your people that
openly rewards personal achievement. Take time to pass the praise
around on a regular basis.
4. WHAT GETS MEASURED GETS DONE. Fran Tarkenton said, "People don't
change their behaviour unless it makes a difference for them to do
so." Hold your people accountable to a measurable standard of
excellence, and make consequences a part of enforcing the standard.
When the standard is met and exceeded, reward them for their work.
5. WHAT GETS OWNED GETS DONE. One of the best ways to increase the
performance of your people is by giving them ownership of projects.
Former NFL Head Coach, Jimmy Johnson, explained, "Give your people the
feeling that if THEY don't do the job, it won't get done. Also let
them know that when they accomplish something, they will share in the
accolades." In other words, ownership means giving your people full
responsibility for the completion of specific tasks and the prospect
of sharing in the rewards that result.
Zig Ziglar said, "The only thing worse than training employees and
losing them, is not training them and keeping them." Before you hand
out your next project, make sure you've done your best to set your
people up to succeed by empowering them to maximize their
productivity.
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