We Do Not Know What We Do Not Know

We Do Not Know What We Do Not Know.

Recently I was working with a company in preparing a half day workshop for 22 of their employees. So naturally one of my first questions was…

What is the outcome that you would like to achieve?

In this particular case the Manger was a little vague as to his specific outcomes. He knew that he needed an external stimulus to get the staff back into a productive state.

I gave him a task to list down 5 topics or areas he thinks need attention and this is his list…

– Physical Health – while in office for 10 + hours a day
– Priority of the day – understanding priorities on a daily basis
– Effective working conditions – working to near maximum capacity
– Making a plan for the day – daily scheduling
– Move muscles – exercise – not to sit at desk for extended periods of time
– Move brain – focus, de-focus then refocus
– Become more effective in their work environment
– Look after their body and mind in the process to perform at higher levels

These are great topics that we can work with and definitely increase the level of health and productivity of employees and profitability of the company.

Now these employees are working long hours at their desks as they are computer programmers and technicians for an international Engineering company. They are doing a great job at what they do.

We specifically designed a PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT half day workshop off site (so they could have a break from their environment) which would conclude with lunch. It was perfect to achieve the client’s outcomes.

The client then asked his employees what they would like to do during this workshop…

A number of the employees said… They would prefer to do trainings / courses that the company can send them on covering the day to day work they are already doing in the field of Software.

Yes, they definitely need to keep updated and have sharp skills and knowledge to do their work effectively.

What should the Manger do?

What has all of this got to do with – We Do Not Know What We Do Not Know …

Employees Mindset:

The employee’s mindset is focused on:

– Doing their specific job – computer programming…
– Complete their work on time and effectively…
– Enjoy their time at work…

Managers Mindset:

The managers mindset is focused on:

– Managing employees and keeping them happy, healthy and PRODUCTIVE…
– Ensuring timely work flow and results…
– Finding balance for employees working 10 + hour days…

The manager has a different skill set, knowledge and outcomes which the employees are not even aware of – We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know …

In NLP we talk about building rapport, mirroring and matching, meeting people where they are at in their current mindset / paradigm of the world. Then we lead them (educate, instruct) to a better place beyond their existing knowledge and performance.

This is one way in which we can grow our staff.

It’s a great idea to ask for the feedback from employees to get them to participate in the discussion and decision. Also understand this….Are they (The employees) in a position to make that final decision?

Always remember that our employees, children, colleagues and friends (All of us) in different areas of our life would have to agree that …

We Do Not Know What We Do Not Know and need to be open and listen to someone who does…