“It’s the system, Derrick,” I began. “If you imagine the relationships between Managers and their direct reports, between team members and their Managers-Once-Removed. If you can see these relationships as a system of people, do you think the structure of the system has anything to do with the way that people behave inside of this system?
“It’s the way that we define those relationships, define those roles. It’s the system. Unfortunately, most managers, most VPs, most Chief Executives never sit down to think about this structure, this system. And the system has the largest impact on things like productivity, efficiency and even morale.
“There are excellent systems and there are poor systems. Tell me, what do you think is the difference? Where should we look first?” -TF
I believe the system starts at the top and trickles down to every employee thru their direct report. Positivity in the workplace can spread like wildfire. Communication is critical. When Managers are having their own issues, this is picked up by the surrounding employees and this can be detrimental. Managers must be concious of their surrondings, walk tall and hold their head high.Positivity squared
If the system or structure isn’t effective, how are the people in it supposed to be? This is a really interesting topic to think about.
Mark and Krista,
Your observations are correct. Does the system create the behavior? Or does behavior just happen by itself on the whims of the individual? We most often look at a person’s behavior and think it must be all their fault.