It's often said that if a leader wants tasks accomplished, they should inspect their team regularly. The belief is that people perform what you inspect, not necessarily what you expect. This approach, while seemingly effective, can be time-consuming and tempting for leaders to take over tasks themselves to ensure they meet standards, ultimately detracting from their essential responsibilities. Some might argue that employing an inspector to oversee team members could be a solution, but then, who inspects the inspectors? This cycle of constant oversight can lead to frustration, internal conflict, and stagnation, hindering progress and productivity. It's also a reason why some entrepreneurs remain sole proprietors, unable to scale their operations.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if team members could be productive, progressive, and accurate without the need for constant inspection and correction? From a team member's perspective, frequent inspections can be incredibly frustrating. The key to solving this problem lies in understanding and leveraging the inherent knowledge, skills, and habits of each team member.
Matching these attributes with the job description, work environment, and fellow team members creates a situation with the highest propensity for success. When combined with coaching and mentoring, this propensity increases exponentially, leading to fulfillment for all and fostering a culture of success. Habits play a crucial role here; the collective habits of a group define the team's culture. Therefore, it's essential to hire not only based on education, experience, and intuition but also on how candidates' knowledge, skills, and habits align with those of successful team members and the demands of the role.
Research supports the idea that habits significantly influence personal and organizational success. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, habits form through repetition and become automatic responses to specific cues in our environment. This means that changing habits is far more challenging than acquiring new skills or knowledge.
In conclusion, when leaders surround themselves with individuals who possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and, most importantly, habits that fit the organization's culture, the need for constant inspection diminishes. Instead, coaching and mentoring can take center stage, resulting in a positive, fulfilled environment characterized by success and happiness. By focusing on building a team with the right habits, leaders can shift from a culture of inspection to one of expectation and trust, driving sustainable growth and fulfillment for everyone involved. Written by:
Coach Melt van SchoorFounder of Success Enabled, accredited Shadowmatch consultant and coach, and expert in workforce optimization and team building.
ChatGPT, AI Writing AssistantProvided by OpenAI, specialized in generating content, fact-checking, and enhancing the flow and engagement of written pieces.
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