- Provide people with the necessary information, tools, and resources that are expected and needed to carry out the responsibility you’ve assigned.
- Develop the vision, key result areas, and plans for each area. Communicate expectations clearly to the individual and team.
- Encourage them to think through multiple alternatives before selecting a course of action (bring solutions to the table, not problems).
- Allow them to make mistakes and to learn from these mistakes, especially if the cost of the possible mistake is small.
- Refuse to allow the responsibility of the task to be given back to the manager (no matter how tempting) and never wrestle control away from the individual/team.
- Use positive feedback/reinforcement and praise to ensure continuation of these accountable behaviors.
- Realize that some people may not meet performance expectations, and it may be better for them to choose a new opportunity elsewhere, either internally or externally. Assist them.
To read how Mission Bell Winery, Madera, CA, has implemented its employee program based on similar principles, see ‘Hybrid’ multiskilled employees maximize packaging line productivity
Note: Visit the Packaging Line Performance conference Web site to view the event agenda and for information on upcoming conference dates/locations. A direct link can be found at the top of this article.
