A Great Solution to Mistake #5
As you know, a couple of weeks ago, I discussed the problem of just talking about numbers. Employees perceive this as a lack of caring on the part of management. For the past several months, while teaching communication skills to many companies, I have been making it a point to remind managers to talk about people instead of numbers. Well, this week, I saw an excellent solution to last week's mistake.
While speaking to employees at Yosemite National Park, I was introduced by the Park Superintendent, Michael J. Tollefson. He used a great technique to illustrate how many injuries they've had in past years and then how they had improved through last year. He gave me permission to share it with you. As the meeting began, he asked one section of the audience to stand up. He then announced that about that many people had been hurt during a calendar year a few years ago. He pointed out how unacceptable that was. After asking them to sit down, he asked a much smaller section of the audience to stand. Next, he informed the group that this many people were injured last year. He remarked that it was an obvious improvement. He then used a question (a great way to alter people's beliefs), "How many of you find this many people being injured acceptable?" As you would expect, no one thought it was acceptable and many people nodded their heads to indicate how unacceptable it was to them. What Michael did was great on several levels. He avoided using numbers, he asked a question, and he involved the audience in the illustration.
On a personal note it was a joy to be in Yosemite. My family and I usually visit this incredible place a couple of times a year. If you are ever in California, I would highly recommend a visit.
Have a dynamically safe day,
John Drebinger
Have a dynamically safe day,
John Drebinger
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