When you hold the backrest of your Associate with your right hand

#mbwa #managementbywalkingaround

#ONETeam #SNAPS #SageandNotableAdvisesfromPatrickSalazar

In one of the organizations that I was part of, one of the first things I did was to meet all of my Team Leaders and other key frontline leaders one by one. We talked about their family background, career journey & aspirations, and a high level discussion of what they want to stop, start and continue. Once a week, I deliberately walk the production floor to engage with all of my frontline Associates.

Results: Consistent #1 performance across all Sites, highest employee Satisfaction scores, and my departments are a regular source of the best leaders who get selected for promotion across the Site.

Meanwhile, in another organization, I conducted a meet & greet activity with my Team Leaders and other frontline leaders during my first week in the role. I was surprised how unusually quiet and nervous they were when I entered the room. Later, they felt relaxed as we went through the engagement activities I have prepared for them. Aside from Team photos, we also had a cheer at the end of the session that got everyone pumped up and happy. A few of my leaders walked up tp me and expressed their appreciation and informed me that it’s their first time to meet a Vice President. They said only their Managers get to meet the VPs.

I reassured them that they and their frontline Associates will meet me regularly on the production floor. I want to meet their top associates, associates who they want to recognize, and associates who need the extra motivation when I walk around. I told them a secret signal so they can inform me which amongst their associates they want me to spend a little more time with as I walk the production floors… I told them to “hold the backrest of the Associate with your right hand” so I know s/he’s the one.

They were curious to know why the right hand. I simply said it means s/he’s the “right” Associate I should focus on.

*About the photo

This action photo is me and my daughter, Tres, playing “Father Goes to the Market” relay game during the Foundation Day when she was in 5th Grade. Through the years, we have participated in several father and daughter games. Whether we win or lose, we agreed to stay focused on the positive which is we did it together.