The reading level for this article is Novice
Managing an organization can be a daunting task. Many business leaders find themselves concentrating heavily on the numbers and customer satisfaction while neglecting one of the most important assets of their business; their employees. I have seen it happen more than once. A company is achieving great profits while the company culture is crumbling around it. Soon the numbers will reflect this lack of synergy within the organization and the business will go under. Think of the most successful companies such as Wal-Mart, General Electric, 3M, etc. These companies have wonderful cultures enabling them to achieve great success and grow to dominant players in their industries. So how can you ensure that your company has a wonderful culture and an environment that promotes creativity? Read the following list and rate yourself on how well you accomplish these tasks within your organization and/or how you could implement those that you do not currently utilize. Be honest with yourself and take an objective view.
I keep my employees informed about our overall organizational plans and operating results.
When I ask my employees to accomplish something, I specify the end result wanted rather than specifying how to do it. (Induces creativity)
I keep my employees informed on how they’re doing on the job.
I provide support and backing to my employees.
I express my displeasure and concern to my employees whenever they do not achieve expected results.
I am accessible to my employees and easy to talk to, even when I am very busy and under pressure.
I have thorough discussions with my employees to help them learn from their success and failures.
I talk with my employees about their ambitions and aspirations for the future.
I encourage my employees to participate in setting goals and determining how to achieve those goals.
I insist that my employees think through problems and make important decisions on their own.
When I talk with my employees about their performance, I am very open and frank in telling them what I think.
I provide encouragement to my subordinates whenever they are undertaking difficult assignments.
I praise my subordinates whenever they achieve a significant result.
I try to understand my subordinate’s viewpoints when I discuss problems and undertakings with them.
I provide opportunities for my subordinates to broaden their experience and increase their competence.
I explain to my subordinates the requirements they would be expected to meet to qualify for larger responsibilities within our organization in the future.
I clarify with my subordinates their duties, responsibilities and the important results they are expected to accomplish.
In working with my subordinates, I follow up on just the significant items rather than on all the various minute details.
I work with my subordinates in developing agreed-to "standards of performance" to use in judging the results they have achieved.
I contribute ideas, (tactics, strategies, approaches, etc.), to my subordinates to help them do their jobs.
I provide appropriate recognition and rewards to my subordinates for the results they have achieved on the job.
I encourage my subordinates to express themselves openly, even when their views are different from mine.
I chat with my subordinates about ways they might improve their effectiveness on the job.
I discuss with my subordinates specific things they might do to better qualify themselves for taking on greater responsibilities in the future.
Now read it again and print out the list above and grade yourself on a scale from 1-5 (5 being the best) on how well you think you accomplish these tasks and print the one below and pass them out to your subordinates and have them grade you from 1-5 (5 being the best) on how well they think you accomplish these tasks. Please be sure to make it anonymous to ensure that your employees are honest in their opinions. By comparing how well you think you are accomplishing these tasks with how well your subordinates think that you are accomplishing them you’ll perhaps get a different view on the current state of your organization’s culture.
My manager keeps me informed about our overall organizational plans and operating results.
When my manager asks me to accomplish something, he/she specifies the end result wanted rather than specifying how to do it. (Induces creativity)
My manager keeps me informed on how I’m doing on the job.
My manager provides support and backing.
My manager expresses displeasure and concern whenever I do not achieve expected results.
My manager is accessible and easy to talk to, even when he/she is very busy and under pressure.
My manager has thorough discussions with me to help me learn from my success and failures.
My manager talks with me about my ambitions and aspirations for the future.
My manager encourages me to participate in setting goals and determining how to achieve those goals.
My manager insists that I think through problems and make important decisions on my own.
When my manager talks with me about my performance, he/she is very open and frank in telling me what he/she thinks.
My manager provides encouragement whenever I undertake difficult assignments.
My manager praises me whenever I achieve a significant result.
My manager tries to understand my viewpoints when I discuss problems and undertakings with them.
My manager provides opportunities to broaden my experience and increase my competence.
My manager explains the requirements that I would be expected to meet to qualify for larger responsibilities within our organization in the future.
My manager clarifies my duties, responsibilities and the important results I am expected to accomplish.
In working with me, my manager follows up on just the significant items rather than on all the various minute details.
My manager works with me in developing agreed-to "standards of performance" to use in judging the results I have achieved.
My manager contributes ideas, (tactics, strategies, approaches, etc.), to help me do my job.
My manager provides appropriate recognition and rewards to me for the results I have achieved on the job.
My manager encourages me to express myself openly, even when my views are different from his/hers.
My manager chats with me about ways I might improve my effectiveness on the job.
My manager discusses with me specific things I might do to better qualify for taking on greater responsibilities in the future.
