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Please Please Listen to Us

Guest post by: Robert Whipple

Article Overview: Leaders need to tap into the ideas of the people closest to the work. Unfortunately, due to hubris and a number of other factors, the ideas of shop floor people are given less attention than the ideas of higher level managers. This is a crime, as is discussed in this article.

Please Please Listen to Us

I was teaching a leadership course to a group of mixed managers the other day. One woman approached me during a break and said her managers do not listen to the employees on the shop floor when they have ideas for improvement. I thought what a terrible signal to send. It devalues the individuals and ignores some great input that would most likely have a significant positive influence on productivity.

Of course this problem is not new. Since the Stone Age, the people in power have believed they had more smarts than the common man, so they have been reluctant to give credibility to their ideas. In our advanced technological world, one would think leaders would recognize that the people closest to the work are the ones who really know how to improve processes. I think if you asked these leaders point blank, they would agree that ignoring front line individuals with ideas is as ill-advised as ignoring a severe chest pain. Yet, in the pressure cooker of everyday activities, leaders often tend to brush aside the ideas of the lowly worker. They do this thinking they know what is best and do not want to be distracted chasing down potential false steps.

How refreshing it would be for a leader to say something like, "That is an interesting idea, Alice. I would never have thought of it. When people close to the operation bring up ideas for improvement we really need to consider them carefully because they have more insight than the managers in the offices. Let's get a team together to see if your idea will work." The worker suggesting the upgrade would beam with pride and go the extra mile to make sure the idea was a success. She would also feel a higher sense of empowerment and connectivity with the business.

Leaders who brush aside employee ideas, for whatever reason, are foolish. It really kills motivation and trust. These same leaders are probably fond of saying "people are our most important asset." Too bad they do not act that way.

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Article Tags: empowerment, engagement, ideas, leadership, shop floor, trust



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Re: What inspires you? - [quote="KH_Global":2o5p0kh7]Inspiration is nothing it is what you called to do? Some work for money, some work for satisfaction, some work because they have priorities in life. It is the passion to do something for achievement or to show that you can do it by using one's talent. I know there are people who are doing great things with their limited skill sets. So, my view point about inspiration is to Dream Big and try to achieve it. I would rather add "Listen to your self". Listen to Inner guide and follow it. You will reach great heights. Robert[/quote:2o5p0kh7] so true
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