Removing Performance Barriers

Overview/Description
 You've heard statistics like this before: Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 times in the process of hitting 714 home runs; Dr. Seuss's first book was rejected by 23 publishers before someone took a risk on him; R.H. Macy failed seven times before the famous Macy's in New York was a success. You've heard the statistics before, but have you really paused to consider the implication and impact of such figures? These statistics are factual proof that leaders have a different perspective, do things a little bit differently, try a little harder. Managers see problems and learn to work around them. Leaders engage in barrier-smashing. It may mean challenging an age-old process, throwing out performance appraisals, or taking a huge risk, but all great leaders have to be willing to confront and challenge the barriers that prevent achievement for themselves and the people around them. This course will help you identify and eliminate the barriers you may be experiencing as a leader. You'll be encouraged to do some honest evaluation of your processes and procedures. You'll be asked to question the processes you use for setting standards and tracking improvement, and you'll be challenged to engage in the type of risk-taking and experimentation that Abraham Lincoln demonstrated when, after being defeated in six state and national elections, he was elected to the presidency of the United States.

Target Audience
 Supervisors Managers Coaches

Expected Duration
4.0 hours

Lesson Objectives:

Barrier Smashing

  • recognize the benefit of removing barriers in the systems and processes of the everyday work flow.
  • identify types of flowcharts that can be used to examine work flow.
  • determine if critical people and core resources are performing to the fullest extent in a scenario.
  • identify ways to eliminate waste that occurs in the work flow.

    • Performance Standards and Measurement

  • recognize the value of utilizing standards and measurement as a means of improving performance and removing barriers to achievement.
  • identify factors for consideration prior to measurement.
  • identify the various categories of indicators that can be used to provide measurement data.
  • determine if a leader appropriately develops and implements performance standards in a scenario.

    • Tracking Improvement

  • recognize the benefits of challenging the traditional performance appraisal approach to employee evaluation.
  • identify the truths behind most performance appraisals.
  • determine if a leader uses appropriate strategies for managing performance in a given scenario.
  • use appropriate methods for providing direction to employees in a given scenario.

    • Risk-taking and Experimentation

  • recognize the critical importance of taking risks and experimenting when developing yourself as a leader.
  • identify reasons why risk-taking is important and beneficial.
  • encourage employees to take risks in a given scenario.
  • demonstrate commitment to risk-taking in a given situation.

    • Course Number: LEAD0144