Before any meeting the thought that always occupies my mind is, “How am I going to get people to suggest my ideas for me without having to tell them what they are?”
In my experience, it’s the best way to get my ideas implemented. It takes a patient coaching approach based on asking questions rather than suggesting or telling people what to do; this approach can sometimes be very frustrating but it always works, eventually.
During a recent important meeting, patience was the key as my dream goal is to get my team to suggest that we need to embrace a continuous improvement culture, which is something that most of them probably have never heard of let alone agree with.
At the core of the meeting was the issue that the team were getting bored and unhappy because we had created such an efficient process that gave the company great results and a better future for everyone involved, but it’s boring.
I knew that the first thing that I had to do was to sit patiently and let everyone vent, and once they had said everything that was bothering them, it would be time to put solutions in.
Before I go any further, though, it might be a good idea to describe the business that we are working with. They are a team of eight very traditional woodworkers who have amazing skills but hate change and think “the traditional way is always the best way.” Plus they are very passionate about their work, as most woodworkers are.
Encourage open conversation
Starting the conversation took a bit of encouragement, but once they started, we were on a roll.
“Since you simplified the process, we don’t get to see the big picture.”
“We don’t like the new assembly process.”
“No one listens to our ideas.”
These were the main complaints.
In these circumstances it’s important to give people some quick wins, so I am always looking for those opportunities as we are talking.
I asked them what they thought the solutions were, as they agreed that what we had done to improve the processes were the right things to do
“Can we have a PC in the workshop so we can see the detailed drawings?”
“Yes, you can,” I said. “I will get one installed next Monday.” – Easy win.
“What about a project overview before we start the job so we know what we are making which will make it more interesting?”
My answer: “We can and we will start with the very next project that comes through the door.” – Easy win.
What was interesting was these things aren’t necessary for them to do their jobs but it was all about making people feel better which I am thrilled to do if it improves their working environment.
“Okay,” I said, “what about the comment that no one listens to your ideas, what can we do about that?”
It transpires that the main problem is because we are so busy, things get suggested and forgotten about. How do we stop that happening?
“We could have some suggestion forms so we write it down and review every week.”
“Yes, and we could explain the suggestion and list what the benefits are as well.”
Like the start of a CI culture?
“Have you heard of the eight wastes?” I said.
“No, not really, what’s that?”
I explained and they all agreed that the eight wastes will help them focus on where they can save time and give them something interesting to do, which will make up for the fact their jobs aren’t as interesting as they once were.
We immediately designed and introduced our Continuous Improvement Suggestion form – Easy win.
In two weeks’ time we will meet to review the suggestions. I am very excited as they have introduced the start of a Continuous Improvement culture, and it wasn’t my idea so they have really committed themselves to making the changes.
This will give me the opportunity to introduce more Lean tools and make their jobs even more interesting and more engaging.
So out of a situation that started as a bit of a ‘winge fest’ came a very positive solution that will benefit the company and the team. And that can’t be a bad thing in the weird and wonderful world that we are living in…
Photo by Dominic Scythe on Unsplash