When new to a setting, a must do!
by Don Ford
Occasionally, someone is asked to take a new job or, to help someone improve a less than perfect work situation. If you happen to be one of the, “Chosen Ones”, that means those above you have a lot of confidence in you and your abilities. Don’t get the big head if you are asked, that is a sure sign that you will have many problems and or, fail!
I have some common since advice for the person who is asked to take a new position or help in a less than perfect work situation.
Beginning the first day in the new setting, and for at least an entire month, (new setting may be a new position for you, or helping someone in another department, or another center) you must take notes. The notes you will take will be reminders for you later, of things that you see which need to be changed, done away with, or improved.
Here is what happens. As a new observer in any setting, you will see things that others do not see. Why don’t they see these things? They have become accustomed to the daily processes. That is the way it is done and they don’t question why, or if there is a better way. This is where you, “The outsider” (aka the observer) comes in, with a new assessment.
Everything you question or consider as needing improvement must have a note made, in enough detail that when you read over your notes at the end of the day, you will understand the thought behind the note.
At the end of each day you will review each note and you will identify each note as,
1. Immediate attention required, (Large Concern)
2. Important, needs attention, (Medium Concern)
3. Will need attention, (Small Concern)
So why do you need to take these notes for at least a full month? As time passes you will get use to the practices and procedures around you and they will no longer stand out as a problem, small, medium, or large!
Obviously, you will address the large problems immediately. Let me say, any situation that has to do with safety must be addressed immediately! As you address the problems and concerns on your list, place a check mark beside that item and a date. Within the next 30 days you should review to see if that problem or situation is truly corrected. Don’t be surprised if you find that participants have returned to old practices or procedures. Learn why they reverted, and bring them back to the (new) proper procedure or practice.
Address each problem on the list in its order of importance.
Without good notes, you will likely become accustomed to the old practices or procedures and no longer notice the inherent problems.
Summary;
During at least your first month you will see things that needs to be changed. You can’t change everything at once and that is why you make good notes for later reference. Prioritize your notes and work from the list. When anything is changed note the date of change. Within 30 days follow-up on each change, this is done to assure yourself that staff have understood and accept the change.
Refer to, The Friction Report dated 08/30/2017, Change, good or bad! This information may help in establishing and getting acceptance to change?
Don Ford
No comments:
Post a Comment