The ultimate supply challenge
Supply mostly is about supplying material goods. I want to take you on a journey to a totally different supply dimension: how to steadily supply inspiration to your people.Inspiration gives energy. On the work floor there is often a lack of energy.
People that come to work too tired are likely to make mistakes and cause conflicts. People that are too tired to show up at work and people with a burnout can damage the organization considerably.A lot has been said and written about how to inspire people. There are many effective ways to inspire and energize your personnel. Like spending time with them, giving them attention, appreciating them, giving them trust, involving them, giving them room to develop et cetera. The big challenge in terms of supply is how to guarantee a steady stream of inspiration and energy to your people. Let’s start with an example from the oil industry. Imagine an oil pipeline of many kilometers. How do you keep the oil streaming in that pipe? A strong pump at the beginning is a good start. But however strong that pump, depending on the circumstances and the kind of oil, the oil will stop flowing at some point. You will need many good pumps to keep the oil flowing till the end of the pipeline. This also applies to inspiration and energy. How can you install enough inspiration and energy ‘pumps’ that will keep your people inspired and energetic throughout the year? Here are four suggestions.
One
Organize a teambuilding meeting at which you take one hour to make your people inspire each other every three months. There are many work forms to make that hour a lasting experience.
Two
Provide personal inspiration coaches to your people. Not general, but specialized coaches that focus on inspiration and energy. They can offer you an underlying network of inspiration sessions for people individually. That will keep the energy running.
Three
Make a list of good books about personal inspiration and energy. Let your people make a free choice from that list every three months as a present from you to them.
Four
Challenge your people to make a list of changes in the workplace and work processes that would give them energy. Take it on you to execute the number one of the list every three months. This way there will be a steady flow of improvements that will energize your organization.
If you are the manager or leader: make yourself a constant supply of inspiration and energy. Be inspiration, be energy.
It takes a candle no effort to light another candle.