Avoid Using Broken Shovels

President Abraham Lincoln once commented, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."

We regularly survey employees of Clients to assess the strength of an organization's culture and leadership systems. The survey has 50 statements. Participants are asked to agree, disagree, or label the statement "neutral" if they are ambivalent about it.

One negative answer used to surprise me, but no longer because the negativity in this area is surprisingly common.

The statement is, "My company provides me with everything I need to perform well."

Every question in our survey ideally should be answered as, "Agree" or "Strongly Agree." However, this statement is often assessed as, "Neutral," "Disagree," or "Strongly Disagree."

One critical responsibility of leaders is to give our people the tools they need to do their job. Great tools are necessary to work and compete effectively.

Therefore, prudent investment in high quality tools is just good sense. It is a requirement for your organization to thrive.

For instance, would you require someone to dig a ditch with a broken shovel?

No "broken shovels"

Of course not! No wise leader would demand a ditch be dug with broken shovels. It would be foolish or cruel, or a combination of both.

Does that mean you have to only buy the best? Not necessarily.

For instance, if you provide company cars to salespeople, should everyone be driving a Tesla?

No, unless your competitors are driving a Tesla and you cannot identify an alternative, lower-cost vehicle that reinforces the image that your organization offers the best value, expertise, and wisdom for your clients' needs.

Why should you worry about "broken shovels"?

Because most leaders assume their people have the tools they need to succeed, yet some or most of their employees disagree.

This disconnect is hurting your results.

Time for a REALITY CHECK

It is time for a reality check. How can you know for certain that your employees have the tools they need to be their best?

Ask.

In meetings with individual teams, simply ask the question:

"Are we providing you with everything you need to perform your best?"

Have the discussion as a group, because when you ask individuals they may not have the guts to tell you the truth. Also, discussing the issue with others means one person's comments may remind another person of a need they keep forgetting to mention, or have been afraid to share.

Giving your people the best tools achieves the following:

#1 - Communicates you care about them and value them as a member of your team. This demonstrates Sincere Gratitude, the third strand of 3strands LEADERSHIP.

#2 - Providing and maintaining the best possible tools for your team is part of Systematic Power, the second strand of 3strands LEADERSHIP.

#3 - Increases employee engagement, and results.

#4 - Increases employee retention.

#5 - Makes your company more attractive to top performers who consider making a career move to your organization.