Smart Business Magazine, July 2020

46 Smart Business July 2020 TIPS FROM THE TOP Michael Feuer Theres a big difference between habit and discipline Learning to distinguish these differences in business can improve productivity and avoid serious problems All of us have habits some good others not so great Eating regularly is a habit but healthy eating is a discipline that requires thought and knowledge In business the moment employees sit down at their desks or step onto the factory floor is when the distinction of habit vs discipline must begin If employees are simply going through the motions and arent thinking about what and why theyre doing something its just a matter of time when not if troubles begin Reality is too many employees simply cop out by believing that questioning a process or procedure is above their pay grade Everyone in the workplace has heard someone say I dont ask or Its not my job Usually the comment is just shrugged off and left unchallenged This docile acquiescence runs deep and is prevalent in too many organizations And it perpetuates a culture in which employees do the same old same old as a matter of rote without regard to looming issues that are not in the manual This negative sentiment jeopardizes a companys viability Anyone in management should know the basic differences between habit and discipline otherwise they should be doing something else more befitting a robot It essentially gets down to knowing the rules but being flexible and thoughtful enough to know when those rules should be challenged changed or temporarily ignored At various levels of a business depending on the culture employees too frequently are not encouraged to think for themselves and react In the worst business environments people are even penalized or shunned for thinking or deviating from the prescribed protocols This not only leads to myriad deep seated problems but also creates a disincentivized workforce The leadership that accepts or supports this insidious unspoken policy of Just do as I say or else breeds the worst form of mediocrity that usually accelerates over time It takes more than platitudes and leaderships lip service to encourage everyone on the totem pole to speak up with impunity even if some comments or suggestions may be superfluous or even hair brained Instead management at every level must encourage and reward active involvement in the work process When this mindset is promoted and communicated effectively it becomes everyones job to blow the whistle when something does not appear to be right or if a better method is discovered even if the old way wasnt all that bad Rules that foster habits ensuring quality uniformity are certainly necessary but not at the expense of stifling thoughtful engagement that leads to innovation and improvement as well as stopping problems in the making Aha moments are not solely in the province of management and leaders at the top All associates from the lowest level up must feel empowered and better yet subtly if not overtly required to always look for a better way A company cannot just talk the talk It must practice what it preaches and celebrate discoveries stemming from having people think about what theyre doing while maintaining good work habits Eating three meals a day is a habit for most but companies must make the discipline of thoughtfulness the food that sustains and grows the organization Michael Feuer Co founded OfficeMax and in 16 years as CEO grew the retailer to sales of 5 billion in 1000 stores worldwide Today as founder CEO of Max Ventures his firm invests in and consults for retail businesses Serving on a number of boards Michael is a frequent national speaker and author of the business books The Benevolent Dictator and Tips from the Top His long running nationally syndicated Smart Business magazine column has received more than 10 awards for excellence mfeuer@ max ventures com Visit Michael Feuers website www TipsFromTheTop info to learn more about his columns watch videos and purchase his books The Benevolent Dictator and Tips From The Top