The other day I gained more responsibility in my current position. I now have to lead a team of 30 employees to ensure we reach our business goals and commitment for end of year and also start laying foundations for 2012. Many of my employees have lost faith in the way things have been over past few years going, times are going to get only worse as 2012 will see a dip in the business hence affecting financials and capital investment required. I have asked my 3 leaders to start reviewing current metrics and would like to have a path on how do we achieve our current goals and what expectations are in 2012.
Few days later three of them came back stating "we cannot do it because of people"
I asked, "what do you mean? which people?
John answered "our people and processes"
Extremely aggravated by the response, I responded politely "our people? meaning we are having tough time managing our own people"
Silence for a moment then Peter responded, "well its ownership and accountability amongst the shop people"
I said, "do our employees know what they are?"
Another silence for few seconds.. I responded stating all three of you will ask each of your employees what the 2011 business goals are and report back to be next few days.
My purpose of challenging my supervisors was to ensure proper communications. Being in a shop supervisor is not an easy task if you are use to managing 20 years ago. Alot has changes, rules, laws, generations, technologies and not being able to adjust to the fast rapid change can be challenging at time.
Discussion to be continued next week....
