Common Mistakes Made By Newly Promoted Leaders

Unique Training & Development

5 Mar 201005:32

Summary

TLDRThe video script discusses a common leadership challenge where leaders feel compelled to solve every problem their team members bring to them, leading to inefficiency and dependency. Instead, it advocates for a leadership style where leaders encourage team members to collaborate and find solutions together. By checking in with the team and facilitating discussions rather than taking on all the problems themselves, leaders can foster independence and more efficient problem-solving, ultimately creating a more effective and satisfied team.

Takeaways

🔧 Brandon faces a challenge with his lathe, as it cannot cut the required 30° angle without significant adjustments.
⏰ Making the necessary adjustments to the lathe would require about two hours of overtime.
🔄 To avoid overtime, Brandon suggests cutting the flange at 25°, which could still work.
🤔 A colleague points out that if Brandon cuts the flange at 25° and another part is milled at 70°, the system won't seal properly.
📏 The team discusses the possibility of using a 65° angle instead to stay within the 5% variance allowed in the specifications.
💡 The decision to allow a 5° variance could lead to a 2 mm gap, potentially causing a three to five-day downtime.
👥 The script highlights the importance of involving the entire team in problem-solving rather than allowing one person to make decisions alone.
📉 Allowing employees to rely on a single leader for decisions can lead to inefficiency and a lack of personal growth among the team.
📚 The script emphasizes the need for leaders to guide their team in solving problems independently, fostering growth and efficiency.
💬 Regular check-ins and communication with the team can prevent issues from escalating and help maintain workflow.

Q & A

What problem does Brandon initially bring up in the conversation?
-Brandon's problem is that his machine cannot cut a flange at a 30° angle. Adjusting it to do so would require about two hours of overtime.
How does Brandon suggest resolving the issue with the flange angle?
-Brandon suggests cutting the flange at a 25° angle instead, thinking that it will work without causing significant problems.
Why does the supervisor initially agree to Brandon's suggestion?
-The supervisor agrees to Brandon's suggestion because it would avoid the two hours of overtime required to retool the machine for a 30° cut, and there is a 5° variance allowed in the specifications.
What issue arises after the supervisor approves the change to a 25° flange?
-Another team member points out that if the flange is cut at 25° and another part is milled at 70°, the system won't seal properly, leading to a potential 2mm gap and several days of downtime.
What leadership mistake is highlighted in the script when dealing with the problem?
-The leadership mistake highlighted is the tendency for leaders to take on all problems themselves, which can create a codependent relationship where employees rely on the leader for all solutions instead of solving problems independently.
What alternative leadership approach is suggested in the script?
-The script suggests an alternative leadership approach where leaders position themselves around the edge of the group, checking in with team members regularly to support them in solving problems rather than taking on the issues themselves.
How does the supervisor implement the suggested leadership approach in the script?
-The supervisor gathers the team members involved, discusses the problem collaboratively, and encourages them to come up with a solution together, which results in a more efficient resolution.
What final solution is proposed by the team to solve the flange cutting issue?
-The team proposes that another member helps Brandon retool the machine, which will allow them to complete the job without causing downtime or other complications.
What is the broader lesson on leadership that the script aims to convey?
-The broader lesson is that effective leadership involves empowering team members to solve problems themselves, which can lead to better outcomes and more capable, independent employees.
Why is it important for leaders to avoid taking on all problems themselves, according to the script?
-It's important because if leaders take on all problems, it can lead to them feeling overwhelmed and unfulfilled, while their team members may become less capable and more dependent on the leader for solutions.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Adjusting the Flange Angle: A Complicated Decision

In this segment, a worker faces a challenge with his machine, which cannot cut a flange at the required 30-degree angle. He suggests cutting it at 25 degrees instead, thinking it will be sufficient. However, this decision triggers a series of concerns, as it could lead to a misalignment with other parts of the system, potentially causing significant downtime. The worker's decision is questioned as it could create a 2mm gap that would require retooling and cause three to five days of downtime. The scene highlights the complexities and interdependencies in manufacturing processes and the consequences of small changes in specifications.

05:01

🚨 The Leadership Trap: Over-Reliance on the Leader

This paragraph discusses a leadership pitfall where leaders allow themselves to become the go-to problem-solvers for their team. The narrative illustrates how constantly solving problems for employees can create a dependency, preventing them from developing their problem-solving skills. It emphasizes the importance of empowering team members to resolve their issues independently rather than fostering a cycle where the leader is burdened with all the problems, leading to dissatisfaction and inefficiency.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Leadership Traps

Leadership traps refer to common pitfalls that leaders can fall into, particularly when they take on too many responsibilities themselves, rather than empowering their team to solve problems. In the video, the speaker discusses how taking on all the issues presented by team members can lead to a cycle of dependency, where the leader feels overwhelmed and the team remains underdeveloped.

💡Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is the process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues. The video illustrates this through the scenario where workers encounter technical challenges, and instead of solving these problems themselves, they bring them to their leader, creating a dependency that hinders their growth.

💡Overtime

Overtime refers to the extra hours worked beyond the regular working schedule, often due to unforeseen complications. In the video, Brandon mentions that retooling the machine to cut a flange at the required 30-degree angle would require about two hours of overtime, highlighting the impact of technical challenges on work schedules.

💡Flange

A flange is a mechanical component that provides a method of connecting pipes, valves, pumps, and other equipment to form a piping system. In the video, the issue with cutting a flange at the correct angle is central to the discussion, as the incorrect angle would lead to a gap and improper sealing, impacting the overall system.

💡5% Variance

The 5% variance refers to the allowable deviation from a specified standard or angle. In the video, this concept is used when discussing the permissible angle change from 30 degrees to 25 degrees, within a 5-degree range, to avoid overtime and retooling. However, this small change later proves problematic for the sealing process.

💡Codependency

Codependency in a workplace context refers to a situation where employees become overly reliant on their leader to solve their problems, rather than taking initiative themselves. The video warns against creating this type of relationship, where a leader constantly solves team issues, which prevents team members from growing and taking responsibility.

💡Retooling

Retooling is the process of adjusting or modifying equipment to produce different components or meet new specifications. In the video, retooling the machine to cut the flange at the correct angle is mentioned as a task that would require significant time, emphasizing the challenges of adapting equipment to specific technical requirements.

💡Team Collaboration

Team collaboration is the process of working together with others to solve a problem or complete a task. The video illustrates this concept when the leader brings other team members into the discussion about the flange issue, seeking their input to find a viable solution. This approach contrasts with the earlier scenario where decisions were made unilaterally.

💡Downtime

Downtime refers to periods when a system or equipment is not operational or productive. In the video, the potential for three to five days of downtime is mentioned as a consequence of making an incorrect decision about the flange angle, highlighting the serious impact that technical issues can have on production schedules.

💡Empowerment

Empowerment involves giving employees the authority, resources, and confidence to make decisions and solve problems on their own. The video promotes this concept by suggesting that leaders should not take on every problem but instead guide their team to develop the skills and confidence to handle issues independently.

Highlights

The worker cannot cut a 30° flange due to machine limitations, and suggests cutting it at 25° instead to save time.

A 25° flange will not work with the rest of the system, leading to improper sealing.

The supervisor allows a 5° variance, suggesting a 65° cut to accommodate the 25° flange.

The change in angle will create a 2mm gap, leading to significant downtime for retooling.

Leaders should avoid solving all problems themselves to prevent creating a codependent relationship with their team.

Leaders should check in with their team regularly, rather than positioning themselves as the sole problem solver.

Brandon faces an issue with his lathe, which would require two hours of overtime to fix if the 30° angle is maintained.

The team collaborates to find a solution, considering retooling and potential impacts on other sections.

Another worker suggests adjusting the match to accommodate Brandon's issue, but this would disrupt other processes.

The team decides that helping Brandon with the retooling would be the most efficient solution.

Effective leadership involves balancing technical decisions with broader impacts on the team and operations.

Leaders should encourage team collaboration to solve problems, rather than taking on all responsibilities themselves.

Checking in with employees informally helps build relationships and reduces the likelihood of issues being escalated unnecessarily.

Leaders should guide their teams to solve problems independently, which fosters growth and efficiency.

The importance of maintaining clear communication and considering all variables in decision-making is highlighted.