I Continue to Learn from Our Staff

Yesterday afternoon I spent 4 hours introducing a group of 16 of our staff to our People Power Leadership Model. Most have been hired within the last year though one person has been with us for 14 years and this was her fourth time in this session. Later she recommended everyone coming back for a refresher from time to time and I couldn't agree more.

People Power is about our values based human resource practices. Building our vision and values into our various H.R. practices so that we continue to clarfiy and strengthen our culture.

A few of the folks in the group have been with us for only a few days or weeks.

In this organization we pride ourselves on our elaborate recruitment process. Three interviews, three hours each, three settings with at least three interviewers particiapating at every stage. We are convinced this results in hiring the best of the best. Spending time with them confirms that belief. But when you spend time with the best you also learn from them.

While I led the training some things they taught me stand out:

1 History. People are intrigued by our history. How we developed our philosophy and approach. Understanding that its roots go back 30+ years helps them realize that quality doesn't come easy and requires consistent effort over time. This sets the tone for the message delivered later in the session about the need for them to continue to learn and grow. That learning is a life long activity and that we need staff who understand and welcome that challenge.

2 The BIG Picture. The age of "just do as I tell you" is over. (Actually, I believe it died 20 years ago but most organizations are only now coming to terms with it and far too many still don't get it.) One staff member said it succinctly when she said something like, "Since I was hired two months ago I've been learning lots of the pieces and that's proper and important. It's very helpful to have the opportunity today to see how all these pieces come together and make sense." This confirmed a conclusion I reached many years ago that people need and in fact are longing for the big picture. It is a key to their growth and development. Things need to make sense. They don't mind and in fact fully understand they need to master elements a piece at a time. But that isn't enough for the best of the best. Those folks want more.

3 Transparency. This term has become an overused cliche in our society. We hear calls for transparency every night on the news and see it every day in the newspapers. Yet we don't hear much about successful models of transparency.
To me, it means more than simple attempts at openness (though most organizations are not that open). It means actively taking the time to help employees understand our vision, our values and our operating practices and encouraging inquiries, discussion and debate.
Yesterday I learned this training helps our organization be more transparent and that transparency is important for new recruits as much as for seasoned veterans .

4 Eagerness to learn and grow. I also learned how the best of the best truly do want to learn and grow. They know what we have to offer is substantial and complex but that doesn't scare them. It actually inspires them.

5 Gratefullness. I also learned that when the organization encourages and supports this growth
staff are genuinely grateful. This type of gratitude builds loyalty and commitment and does more for morale than any incentive tokenism could ever accomplish.

6 They love the Stages of Development process. Delarc developed this process a few years ago and it is very gratifying to hear so many new staff say how much they appreciate this development tool. Several of the newer staff left the session armed with an appreciation of this fundamental tool, other veterans left with a much deeper appreciation of it. In all cases they see it as helpful to them. This taught me that the best of the best don't just say they want to grow and develop but that they welcome and absorb tools specifically developed for that purpose.

All morning I fought to sqeeze the time necessary to properly prepare for the teaching I was going to to do in the afternoon. When it was all over, I realized how much they taught me.

Way cool!

Thank you to everyone present.