Benjamin Franklin
We talk a lot in lean about attitude and culture, about developing that perfect mix of happy employees that feel a calling (feel challenged) to be better. To develop these employees requires a multitude of facets, but I think the most influential is the attitude management puts forward. I know what you're thinking, this conversation is heading towards corny and we have all heard we should smile more...but let me stab at this discussion anyway.
The best organization's i've seen, be it lean, be it large, be it small, have a leader with one common trait. I would call it a common factor in building a great company, doesn't mean there are CEOs, Presidents, ect. out there who don't have it, but those that do seem to have an easier time.
What's the common factor? Whats the one thing that great leaders share?..Energy! Like an excessive amount of energy, pom-squad type energy, annoying 5-yr old hopped up on Mountain Dew type energy...a lot of it!
You could easily argue with me and say it's not necessary...go ahead (I don't have data to back me up), but if you think about the logic it just makes sense! In our organizations we are all trying to bring about change, and we know it takes a LOT of energy to bring change around...those that give up early don't get far. That energy also has to be contagious, from the front line supervisors, employees, middle management, all have to be poised and ready to GO! So yes, these events can happen without a driving energetic force at the top, but the odds are much less. And having someone at a lower level with a lot of Energy and Drive is only going to bring an organization so far.
So if you are that CEO, President, Director, whoever, that feels sluggish in the morning, crawls into work at 9AM, and hides in your office for most of the day...maybe that's why your lean implementation isn't going so well (or whatever goal your are going towards). So find a way to Greet the day, with energy and gusto, and I promise your employees will follow suit.
AF
