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Volume 7, Issue 5 - May, 2008 • Taking Aim at Optimizing Human Performance Last Year, I published “Taking Aim for Better Decision-Making.” At the time, I thought the bull’s eye tied in nicely with taking aim and with the cannon I have in my logo. Little did I realize how useful this little graphic would become. I was also beginning to understand how decision-making in organizations and leadership are so closely tied together. This past year, the bull’s eye has evolved in my mind to being a metaphor for the evolution in management and leadership that faces us all. Understanding this bull’s eye not only shows the evolution of leadership, but also helps us as leaders to optimize human performance in our organizations. For years, organizations hired “bodies”, the outer ring of the bulls eye. We needed an extra pair of hands to accomplish more. With this mindset, managers would try to “goof proof” the job so that it might be handled by the lowest common denominator.
It has been possible to survive with this approach to management in the past, but those days are rapidly coming to an end. Workers who are the offspring of depression era parents are much more likely to endure this type of a job than are the youth of today. We are also engaged in a much more competitive work environment and organizations that do not engage and inspire employee’s fully will not survive against organizations that involve the mind and spirit of the employees as well as their hands. The Japanese understand this and U.S. Manufacturers are learning the benefit of engaging people’s minds as they undertake kaizen projects in their operations. Involving people in decisions about their work can and does pay huge dividends for those organizations willing to give it a try. While utilizing the mind and body of employees is a huge step forward for employers, it is also a great thing for employees. They now are being recognized for their expertise in the work they have been doing and this recognition goes a long way toward improving the work place for both the employer and the employee, not to mention the benefit to the customer. A worthwhile vision is one way to reach an organization at the spirit level. If possible involve everyone in the organization in the creation of the vision that is driving your endeavor. Involve them regularly and provide constant positive reminders and updates about the successes as they occur. Recognize and share in the celebration of every accomplishment along the way. What are you doing to reach your employees minds and spirits? Call (866) 598-8450 to discuss how Bob Cannon can help you increase performance and profitability in your organization. If you have a subject that you would like to see covered in future issues of “Taking Aim,” please send me an email at aim@CannonAdvantage.com.
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Robert E. Cannon "Best Practice" Sales Force Development Change Management Customer Service Assessment for ISO Requirements Smart Thoughts from Smart People "If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." Anne Bradstreet I once had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But, I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue…"No good in a bed, but fine against a wall." Eleanor Roosevelt "Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there." Josh Billings "Heroes are rebels with a cause. Rebels because they challenge the traditional ways of thinking and refuse to follow the herd. They have a cause, a vision, that's larger than life." Sharif Khan Taking Aim © 2007 Bob Cannon, The Cannon Advantage Newsletter. All Rights Reserved. The Cannon Advantage visual branding by Zarney Creative. For contact information, click “Resources.” |
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Is it any wonder that these lowest common denominator employees hated their jobs? Is it any surprise that they joined unions? Yes, there were enlightened leaders who had happy employees in the past just as there are old school employers who still hire bodies or an extra pair of hands and wonder why their employees are not happy. 
