Driver's Seat - 523653908_c60425c2ed_m - Visual Hunt Employee EngagementLast week, I gave up my spot in the driver’s seat in order to help my twin godsons practice their driving skills. In just a few months, they’ll be able to trade in their learner’s permit for a driver’s license.

Practicing driving skills with someone who can coach you is important. So why do companies put new managers in the driver’s seat without any preparation?  It’s an accident waiting to happen.

 

It’s Time to Make a Shift.

Companies need to establish their own DMV – Department of Management Value.  Prior to becoming a manager, employees should get their learner’s permit.  Only after they demonstrate that they have the managerial qualities needed to be successful should they be able to trade their permit for a managerial license.

 

Accidents Will Happen

This isn’t to say they won’t have accidents. They will. They’ll just have fewer accidents, cause less damage, be better prepared when hazards appear, and increase the amount of their protection (insurance against disengagement).

 

Before you put a managerial candidate in the driver’s seat consider the following:

Check the engine: Require a pre-test to make sure the employee understands the expectations.

Learn the signals: Be able to identify the signs of those who will be successful managers.

Safety equipment: Provide protection from errors.

Check the rear view mirror: Help the employee understand the previous experiences of others.

Adjust the volume:  Minimize the noise in the company so that the employee can concentrate on driving.

Fill up the tank: Give the employee the training, knowledge, and feedback needed to drive on their own.

Get in gear: Are you putting the employee in an automatic or a stick shift?  Make it easy for them to accelerate.

Speed:  Help the employee learn the speed limits for various situations.

Going in reverse: Let the employee know that it’s OK go backwards in order to move forward.

 

 

For the safety of all those on the road, coach your drivers! Don’t throw them behind the wheel with little to no instruction, practice, or feedback.

 

Photo: Visual Hunt 523653908_c60425c2ed_m

 

What shift does your company need to make? Do you have a driver’s manual, training requirements, or licensing process in place? What tips can you share with your fellow Agents?

 

 

Let’s Engage!

I’m Agent in Engagement Simpson…Gregory F Simpson.

Employee engagement is a critical mission. I hope I can count on your help! Subscribe to the RSS Feed to receive the latest intelligence/insights and/or register to make entries in the comments log.

Photo of Gregory F SimpsonYou can follow me @agtinengagement.
Email me at g…@a…t.com.
Connect via LinkedIn at LinkedIn.com/in/GregoryFSimpson.
Learn more about me at gregoryfsimpson.com.

 

P.S.  First contact? Welcome to the Agent In Engagement community. Explore and join fellow employee engagement operatives in targeting a known thief – alias: Disengagement. Together we can bring this thief to justice and make the world a better place for all companies and their employees.

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