An BIG Impact on Performance and Productivity

Productivity and profits are plummeting, at least it seems that way. The more the focus is on the crises, drama and time wasters,the less thought and time there is for high degrees of productivity and performance.

To turn around that drain on financial, talent and natural resources, the focus needs to shift to the potential. A few years ago I was asked to work with a large critical care department that had 6 different directors in half as many years. In the staff interviews, one common theme kept cropping up - leadership. The lack of leadership, the autocratic leadership, the punitive leadership, the disappointed leadership. Not once, not once did the staff mention anything positive, all were beaten down, but not broken. They had tremendous spirit they wanted to be asked. They had ideas to share, the courage, talent and conviction to do the job - but no one would listen.

After the interviews, I met with the Chief Nursing Officer to discuss the finding. I asked her who she believed were the leaders in the staff. Again, never did she mention anything positive. She launched into what a poor group of performers were in that department. She knew that without someone from the outside coming in to turn them around, they would never be effective and able to provide quality care.

Next, I asked, "Who has the potential to be the leader?"

She stopped briefly and then replied reluctantly, "Well certainly they all have the potential." She proceeded to tell me all the reasons why that would never happen. After all she'd been there for years and had continued to see disinterest and disruptive behavior. She needed some one to turn them around. Then she asked me, "What can you do to enhance productivity and performance?"

I knew that she wouldn't like my suggestion, but I knew it was the only answer, "Focus on their potential."

We both agreed that they needed a strong, positive leader to help accomplish significant change. She decided to continue to search outside and we said our good-byes.

Less than six months later, that same CNO contacted me and asked me if I could refer her, she was looking for a new job. No one helped her focus on her potential and the productivity and performance continued to decline.

Sad story, and unfortunately true all too often. When we fail to focus on the Potential, the performance and productivity will always fall. What are your thoughts?