Every company has processes and needs to train people to fulfill those. And, when half-trained people are handed half-defined instructions, the entire company can break down. People become discouraged and frustrated.
In the late 1960s, at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska, a Sumatran orangutan named Fu Manchu kept escaping from his cage. The head keeper accused the staff of being negligent and leaving the enclosure unlocked at the end of the day. The staff was frustrated knowing they were completing it, and the zoo’s chief keeper was on the verge of firing the staff for not doing their job.
The orangutan Fu Manchu had obtained a piece of wire from a light cover and had taught himself how to pick the lock. He would hide the piece of wire tucked up in his gums so that he could get out whenever he wanted to take a stroll. It wasn’t until staff finally caught him on camera that the truth came to light.
Fu Manchu had the tools to learn how to pick locks, and the attitude to get out of the enclosure. It turns out that the problem wasn’t careless, Fu Manchu had just the right mix of tools, skills, and mindset to make it successful.
Fu Manchu’s success is a learning opportunity for businesses.
The Surface Level of Frustration is often not the Real Problem
The Head Zookeeper, frustrated and angry at his staff for not doing their job, was ready to fire his employees. As it turned out, the problem was not with his staff, it was with underestimating the capabilities of orangutans.
Companies can create stronger engagement and overall success using the three key factors Fu Manchu displayed: tools, skills, and mindset. Additionally, these tools enhance employee engagement which then builds harmony between your people and your company’s processes.
Are your employees missing any tools, skills, or mindset?
Tools, Skills, Mindset
What might happen if you gave a zebra the same lock-picking tool that Fu Manchu had? Zebras have escape tools and may have an attitude of wanting to get out of their enclosure. Without the skill (in this case opposable thumbs) he will not be able to complete the task.
Additionally, employees will be more engaging because they have all the tools they need, the skills to get the job done, and the attitude they want. If Fu Manchu had a different mindset, if he was happy inside the enclosure, he wouldn’t have tried to escape.
People and Processes
Every company has processes and needs to be trained people to fulfill those it. And, when half-trained people are handed half-defined instructions, the entire company can break down. People become discouraged and frustrated.
Effective Performance Strategies conducts an assessment within the company to determine what areas people might be needing help with so the processes can be successfully completed. Processes are reviewed, missing tools are identified, skills training is assessed, and engagement-building activities are conducted to enhance employees’ mindsets.
Moving forward to company success
What is your team missing to move forward and create the success you know is obtainable?
Are your employees missing any tools, skills, or mindset?
Let the experts help!
Contact Effective Performance Strategies today to get you on your way to a more effective and efficient company by ensuring everyone has the proper tools, skills, and mindset. For interactive VR experiences, visit p5rocket.com.
