Bulletin No. 10 | July – August 2002
ORGANIZATION
The Anatomy of a Healthy Company
Imagine going to work, walking into your office or plant, and encountering a vibrant stimulating atmosphere. In talking to employees about an upcoming deadline or project, you hear only enthusiasm and commitment. They are eager to work hard, listen to your vision and strategy and graciously share ideas
As the day progresses, they are on the phone, meeting among themselves, each assignment is approached with a sense of urgency. When someone volunteers to take charge, others are quick to join in to help. They know that on another project, they may be the leader and need support. Teamwork and partnership, rather than the old rigid ladders, make up the organization hierarchy and structure
This sketch is what Robert H. Rosen, a clinical psychologist, named a new model of a healthy company
Perhaps the most remarkable about this new atmosphere is a feeling of respect.
No awkward silence when bosses pass by. No secretive scribbling of cover-your-ass memos. No sullen hostility between employees competing for bigger budgets and more attention. From the flexible schedules to the sharing of vita; information, the organization shows that it truly cares about people, and employees reciprocate this trust with loyalty.
Key values that people hold in the healthy company:
– Commitment to Self-Knowledge and Development. This value is a commitment to one’s own personal growth and understanding. People with this value are introspective, principle driven and constantly learning about themselves.
– Firm belief in Decency. People who naturally and instinctively treat others as would any feeling, thinking human beings, as they would like to be treated. In this healthy company, actions speak louder than words. Managers are honest with employees, sharing their knowledge and even feelings: and they are fair, apportioning reward and criticism according to accomplishments and deeds.
– Respect for Individual Differences. People who respect individual differences know that an office is populated by individuals who look different cultures, but who are just as capable and worthwhile. There are no second class citizens, only human beings of equal worth with special roles and responsibilities.
– Spirit of Partnership. This value is a strong belief in ‘community’, in the strength of shared effort, in the value of teamwork, in the satisfaction of partnership. This partnership’s motto is ‘Everyone is a leader, everyone is a follower’.
– High priority for Health and Well-being. Healthy employees are a company’s most valuable assets. The physical and psychological climate at work the size of the computer screen, the interior air, the level of boredom in a job, the attitudes of supervisors plays and enormous role in well-being and performance.
– Appreciation for Flexibility and Resilience. The healthy company gives employees the tools to cope with change, they provide advance notice of layoffs and relocations; and they make the transition as smooth as possible.
– Passion for Product and Process. With a clear mission and plan of action, people with a passion for product are active, effective doers. They set goals, benchmarks and timetables and know where they are going and why. These people care what happens to their company they feel personally involved and responsible for its successes and failures. Each employee, manager and executive must decide now to put these values to work.
LEADERSHIP
Profile of Effective Leader
Leaders maintain respect
When you think of leaders, they are the ones people respect.
Leaders work effectively with people
They understand and live by the facts that excellence happens through effective people, not through things.
Leaders are responsive to the needs and desires of others
They understand the individual needs and desires and create a conducive working environment to satisfy these needs. They understand that you manage motivational environments and that all you can do is to create an environment that motivates the individual.
Leaders are knowledgeable
Learning is a constant and there are no experts. Leaders are the people who are constantly developing their minds and going to new depth of understanding. An individual who says that they are experts in indeed an arrogant individual.
Leaders possess superior motivation
They have an inner drive to achieve goals and to become successful, and they show it in their behaviour.
Leaders utilize and tap every every resource
They constantly reach down inside and tap the hidden potentials in themselves and others. There is no ‘my men’ and ‘his men’ all resources are ‘our men’
When your subordinates do not want to listen to you, they might lose their respect upon you, it is better to check yourself:
1. Are you a true leader to them?
2. Are you honest to them?
3. Are you the leader they really want?
(Source : Total Quality Organization, Balance & Harmony for excellence, Thomas J. Barry)
Responses