BLOG.ECILEARNING.COM: Recent Comments

Comment on Money and Motivation

John — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:42:12 GMT

Dave,

Great post. As i was reading it I was thinking I need to refer you to Pink's book Drive. It was very eye opening in terms of what motivates people really.

Take Good care,
John

====================

DRIVE is an excellent book and a must read for all leaders of "knowledge workers". Daniel has a great way of putting words around the ideas that many of us have had for years!

Dave

Comment on The Engaged Employee - Autonomy

Elaine Lockard — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:48:29 GMT

While reading this article, I thought of two things. The first was my father and his controlling nature and how it felt to have my creative expression stiffled.

The second was a book that I read about personal integrity called "Who will do what by when". It told a story from a team manager's point of view of how he communicated and managed his team. When he realized he was not fully communicating effectivly the team's goals and not allowing them to be a part of the creative process, he flipped his process and caused a dramatic shift in productivty and team morale.

I feel it is always better to allow cooperation and contribution to build a strong and diverse team or business. Everyone can contribute so much and its a waste not to take advantage of a valuble resource.

=================

Hi Elaine,

I firmly believe that most people who are this directive and in the process, stifle creativity don't have bad motives. They do it believing that they are:

a. Being clear
b. Eliminating errors
c. Saving time

But you are right. This type of management or behavioral style just sucks the life out of people. Now, spread the word!

Dave

Comment on The Engaged Employee - Autonomy

John — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:52:18 GMT

Dave,

Thanks for your thoughts. I think we have all encountered "leaders" that want to tell us what and how to do the task. It has been my experience that they appear to be operating from fear. And one way to address fear is to exert control. At least that is what they think.

I can remember in myself as I started out. I thought everyone had to be the same. If I thought it was logical well then it must have been. Ask me how well that worked :-)

Today, I am watching a colleague who is under a lot of pressure, struggle with balancing the scales on this very issue. He wants desperately to drive the results and to "help" everyone achieve, while at the same time taking a step back to let them have ownership and autonomy. Meanwhile the pressure to deliver a number is weighing heavily on his shoulders.

It's funny in an ironic way, how many business people know what it takes to create and lead empowered workforces. If you have a conversation many will be able to answer the questions. Yet when pressure mounts many default to old programs. We need to change the culture.

Keep up the Good Work

==============================

Hi John,

I agree with your comment about irony. Many people know the words (empowerment) and a few even know the melody. But it's a rare leader who has put them together to make the beautiful music that is only possible when you let each member of the choir sing their natural part.

Dave

Comment on The Engaged Employee - Autonomy

Anne Crawford — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 01:34:23 GMT

Creativity : the inner source of all vision and forward moving personal growth. Without it, there would be nothing. Not even this Blog.. So when we talk about the workplace, creativity, is essential to building a foundation of employee self worth and involvement in their growth not only in the company, but within themselves. It is a win - win situation.

Comment on 3 Keys to Creating an Engaged Workforce

Tammy Barbee — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:49:14 GMT

I must say you are right on target with this one. A friend of mine was just letting me know all the struggles he is going through at his job and how the manager claims they are a team but takes credit for all the ideas and work they do and not mention their names.

===============
Thanks for your comments, Tammy. It is impossible to overestimate the value of trust in the workplace. But too many leaders and way too many managers focus on power, not trust.

Thanks for reading...

Dave

Comment on 3 Keys to Creating an Engaged Workforce

John — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:15:15 GMT

Dave,

Great post. It's funny how syncronicity works. I was just reading from Daniel Pinks book DRiVE and he echos your thoughts on engagment. People are motivated in large part by the pursuiit of Mastery (getting better and better at what they are good at and that they like) and they want to be pursuing a higher purpose.

When organizations learn to tap into the emotional impact of the higher purpose look out.

Thanks for your work

================

LOL, I just started DRIVE today.... several days after I'd written the blog post. Some of the test results he reports are just startling, but his conclusions are in synch with my observations as well.

Thanks for your comment John.....

Dave

Comment on Change Is Inevitable

Web developer — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:23:11 GMT

Quite inspiring,
Change in definatley inevitable... its not something that can be ignored or avoided but it will happen...
Anyway, thanks for the post

Comment on Is This REALLY What They Had In Mind?

john — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:22:47 GMT

Oh David

Sorry you hit a nerve. It seems as if United Airlines is going overboard to chase their customers away.

I recently had the opportunity to fly through Atlanta on Delta, (an Airline I do not have status on)It was late 12:00 in the morning and they had empty seats in First Class for people with a certain class of ticket for sale.

Alas I did not have the right class but because they are transparent I saw that they had 12 open seats.

I asked, "if I pay can you get me on and up there"? She said the system won't allow it but let me talk to the attendants. I flew home in First Class.The attendant had the flexibility and customer care mentality to make a difference in a poor travelers life.

Meanwhile back at the ranch where I have Premier Executive Status on United, I needed to make a change to my ticket. At United that requires $150 and fare difference. Because of previous customer service issues with the airline I have several $150 certificates that they have given me due to poor service. But United says I can't use that for fees, only fares!

So then, when I travel I observe all of the airlines offering pre-boarding the opportunity to check your bags for free. Guess how that makes the suckers who paid to have their bags checked? It also delays departure as the poor schlepp who is in the back gets to the back and can't stow his bag so he has to take it back out to the front of the plane.

US airlines are in serious trouble and they are going to get into worse trouble if they forget that customers choose who to fly.

And as we've seen with Tarmac waits if you piss off enough customers congress will legislate a solution.

Sorry for the rant but Airlines need your help.

Take Good Care

=======================

Hi John,

As a frequent flyer, you have the experience that i am working hard to avoid. My question becomes, "Are they doing this on purpose?" I don't think so. At least I hope they are not. But what is it in their company culture or leadership that creates this really horrible customer service mentality.

I wish someone could explain it to me.

Thanks for posting....

Dave

Comment on How To Ride A Dead Horse

Gaye Wilson Coach — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:07:21 GMT

The trick, of course, is to notice that the horse is dying and to do something about it before the death happens: either give the horse some powerful medicine to stop it from dying, or allow it to die peacefully and then bury it, without harming the organization.
Or perhaps find out if the dying horse is actually in the right place in the organization. Sometimes it's not a case of dying/dead horse, but misplaced horse.

==================

You are right on Gaye! If only we could identify that the horse is sick before it dies, maybe we could take the steps to make it healthy again!

Thanks for your comment!

Dave

Comment on How To Ride A Dead Horse

john — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:05:12 GMT

LOL

Great Post Dave. I have seen these solutions applied in numerous situations. Why? Because no one wants to be called a quitter. However, sometimes you have to know when to cut and run. Chasing aftger a goal, prospect, deal, outcome that is not going to work is wasting resources.

Until next time, take good care

===================

hi John!

Sometimes quitting is sometimes the smartest thing that we can do. But isn't it funny that we will try and ride that dead horse rather than admit the obvious?

Best of luck....
Dave