This is an approach used in some strengths based organisations.
These organisations are often values driven. They actually live the values, however, rather than simply laminate the values.
Such organisations also encourage people to employ their strengths. Why? They believe this is the only way to help the organisation to move from 8/10 to 10/10.
Great organisations such as these often take the following steps.
* They communicate the desired standards and everybody knows what is required regarding excellence.
Such organisations give people the required support. They also expect people to take responsibility for doing great work.
* They reward the behaviour they want repeated regarding excellence.
Such organisations frequently communicate success stories about people and teams that have delivered the required standards. They believe in the power of positive modelling and continually showing ‘what good looks like’.
* They never walk past a quality problem regarding excellence.
They continually maintain the high standards. People will, for example, pick up any small pieces of litter that may have fallen to the floor. Why? Walking past it would say that such a standard of having litter was okay.
Such organisations employ people who aim to be positive and professional. They accept mistakes when people try their best. But they do not accept people using excuses to explain poor performances.
Excellence Cultures Are Often Strengths Based
Great organisations believe in putting the right people with the right strengths in the right places. They are absolutely clear about the consistency people must deliver to produce the minimum of 8/10. They then encourage people to be creative – within parameters – to achieve the 10/10.
So why are such organisations strengths based? People are more likely to be systematic and produce this performance when:
a) They play to their strengths.
b) They manage the consequences of their weaknesses.
c) They take responsibility for managing their talents to contribute towards achieving the organisation’s picture of success.
Such work places are also demanding. They constantly ensure that people take responsibility for always doing the basics and then adding the brilliance. They have people who consistently perform great work and who contribute towards achieving the organisation’s goals.
Great organisations employ people who produce Excellence, rather than who lapse into Excuses.
Links
* 3 tips for focusing on your super team’s story, strategy and road to success.
* 3 tips for rewarding the behaviour you want repeated.
* 3 tips for never walking past a quality problem.
Posted on Saturday, February 9th, 2013 at 4:29 pm in Companion, The Strengths Blog | RSS feed
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