Celia Couture is the president and found of CC Consulting, LLC a leadership development and business management firm.
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How innovative are you in determining who receives what assignments in your work worlds? Do you immediately assume that since a person is high on the organizational chart that they should lead the effort? Sometimes organizations find themselves trapped in this paradigm. Oftentimes, it means that the company has yet to take a "talent inventory." What is a talent inventory--a mechanism to analyze talent versus skills. One of the best examples I can give is that of Tiger Woods. Many of us have learned the "skills" related to a golf swing, but few of us have Tiger's talent for consistently making golf shots the way he does? Some of us have learned the skills of acting, but few of us become Meryl Streep!
As leaders in our organizations, we have a unique opportunity to take a look at the "talent" pool and ensure that we are providing opportunities for employees to work successfully performing activities or leading activities that promote their talents. Is there someone in your organization that is great with people? If so, should this person be tapped to facilitate a team?
One of the most difficult challenges I face as a consultant is helping employees deliver difficult messages. The task becomes even more difficult when employees are faced with the challenge of helping the boss see that there are problems with "favorite" employees impacting the rest of the organization.
Like the Wizard of Oz who hides behind a curtain pretending to be something that he's not, employees have to realize that bosses are simply people with a different title. Organizations can become paralized by fear and retribution, but in the long run the entire organization may suffer if employees are not willing to help the boss see what they see.
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you did approach the boss with the truth? You might be surprised by the reaction. It is unfortunate that employees are under the delusion that the boss, like the Wizard of OZ is "all-knowing" and "all-powerful." Are you going to go merrily down the yellow, brick road or are you going to stop and help the Wizard. Values and behaviors drive how employees react to your leadership style...be the kind of leader who demonstrates support of a candid and open environment.