By Mark Sloan
I recently invited my team to take part in a straw poll. I wanted to understand what frustrated them; what got in the way and stopped them doing a great job.
I learned the reasons why my team is frustrated. They told me their four top gripes. This is what I heard.
1. Inadequate Processes
The team is frustrated with rules. Rules and processes that make no sense.
Digging a little deeper I realised this wasn’t about rules per se but how the rule book stops progress.
And, here is the rub: the business has to make big savings. It needs to do things completely different.
We are distracted by trivial bureaucratic policy and procedure.
Progress is not made because employees fear breaking the rules. So, the team is frustrated because it cannot innovate. Its attention is diverted from what is really important. When management creates barriers to progress it cannot expect outstanding results.
2. Limited Opportunity to Develop Skills
My team loves to learn. And they are damned good at what they do. Even so, the team is frustrated by the limited opportunity to develop new skills.
Skills needed to propel the organisation forward. The team is frustrated because they are not in control of their development.
Bureaucracy is not attentive to people’s feelings or potential. Bureaucracy determines what people should do.
Bureaucracy focuses on weakness not strength.
The team is frustrated because it cannot be exceptional at what it does. The organisation won’t invest in the right skills. It fails to develop exceptional people. When management creates barriers to progress it cannot expect outstanding results.
3. A Lack of Decisiveness or Commitment
When progress is made opportunity beckons. But bureaucracy always misses opportunity.
Bureaucracy is indecisive and lacks commitment.
The team is frustrated because their work is sometimes undone by indecision. The business undervalues their very hard work when it doesn’t take advantage of the new found opportunity. When management creates barriers to progress it cannot expect outstanding results.
4. Failing to Take Responsibility
The team is frustrated when progress isn’t made. When their work is done, others use it to produce results. Or, choose not to do anything.
When management creates barriers to progress it cannot expect outstanding results.
These are 4 reasons your team is frustrated with my leadership.
Yes, my leadership! The team looks to you to take command, remove barriers, and lead by example. I am doing something about it. Are you?
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