Jason’s manufacturing team has been producing a consistent number of units per week, but in the last few years, they have struggled to get anywhere near their previous rate of production.
To make matters worse, they have more client orders than they’ve ever had – so the conversations are unfortunately revolving around which customer will be disappointed next.
What’s causing the problem?
Certainly not a lack of effort.
Jason’s company can’t get all the components they need from suppliers, and they have an ongoing shortage of people due to hiring challenges and illness.
How does this impact the team?
Many of Jason’s team feel discouraged that they can’t overcome these obstacles despite working harder than ever.
Another manager commented this week that his focus for this period is to ensure that his team feels successful because he knows how critical this is to achieving their goals. People are hard-wired to be successful – it’s simply part of being human.
What a simple concept. Yet it’s missed by so many.
Successful teams = Success
In my own experience, when I feel successful, it’s easier to take on the next challenge. And…when I feel like I’m failing, it becomes much harder to keep trying.
So what does this mean for leaders in today’s climate?
Given all the struggles in our current environment and their impact on our workplaces, teams are struggling to be successful. If our current situations aren’t providing enough opportunities for success, how can we change that? Below are a few suggestions to consider:
1. If your team has typically been able to produce a certain amount of product but has fallen short of their goal due to reasons beyond their control, can you restructure the goal to ensure they feel successful?
In the end, the product that is being produced is the same, but the team’s motivation to do more and better will improve.
2. Another common challenge is distractions that take initial goals off the table. When this happens, many leaders fail to readjust the goals to ensure the team is successful with newer or changed priorities.
When circumstances change and prior goals are set aside or changed, distractions can cause leaders to overlook resetting goals with their team. Make sure to follow through and reset the goals in order to set up your team for success.
3. Use the motivational aspects of success to drive more success. If you want your team to make a 10% improvement, try focusing on small incremental changes along the way.
As they feel more successful in making a ½ percent improvement, they’ll want to do even more. Maintain a focus on what is creating success so the team feels confident in their ability to reach the goal.
In considering whether your team is successful, remember that it’s not only about numbers and achievements, but how they experience the situation.
How are you adjusting things to ensure that your teams feel successful? If you would like to share or learn more about steps you can take to help your team reach their true potential, email me at cheryl@leanleadershipcenter.com.