Effective or Ineffective Management
Some managers believe that it is effective to have employees working on "crisis mode" so things get done Immediately.
What is your view?
Melissa,
Good answer. If you are in panic mode all the time people don't know the difference between crisis and normal.
Dr. Gary Carlson
I agree that constantly working in crisis mode is ineffective. Employees will not change their behaviors from an average work day when a true crisis occurs. Though I think an occasional "drill" is acceptable as part of training and development.
It depends -- sometimes having employees experience a crisis teaches them a lot about the resilience of processes. (Or, lack there of.) Perhaps a "trial crisis" training event could teach managers and upper echelons within a school a lot about how well the school is built and operating. It may also offer a chance to really see what needs to be worked upon due to a weakness appearing only during a crisis state.
As for a general way of working, no. It's far too easy to burnout the staff. But, a few experiences with a guiding hand can really make a staff mature and see how the organization can adapt and plan.
Now -- there are some people who just work in that mode. That's their natural state. Although risky, their ability can give insight into new processes being considered.
So, I don't see a clear yes or no reply. I see teaching through a staged crisis as a potential tool.
Steve
Laurel,
Making everything a crisis is an issue. When we expect a higher level of attention and performance we don't get it because of the over zealous actions we have practiced with smaller issues.
Dr. Gary Carlson
I think this causes unneccessary stress in the work place, which can lead to low moral and high turn over.
Additionally, it makes it had to tell the differece between what's a crisis and what's just a normal day at the office.
Susanne,
The less we can prevent panic in any crisis the more lives we could save. The question is who needs to know and I agree with you the students need to know the plan.
Dr. Gary Carlson
Susanne,
Believing in each other and showing respect. When employees become a team the individualism can be used in a positive growth pattern.
Dr. Gary Carlson
I agree our students need to feel relaxed and safe. Although because of the course I think there are a few more safety measures we should review with our students on Orientation day and maybe a few drills though out the year. We have opted out of the building fire drills so as not to disrupt the student (adults) accelerated learning time. The staff is instructed but I now think we should include the students and build the time into their schedules to ensure a safe exit and continued learning offsite if necessary.
I agree with this as there have been times when there was a possible financial crisis looming.
As each employee learned of the crisis the problem became bigger and bigger. Everyone started to panic and spent more time covering their own A** and throwing others under the bus. When the smoke cleared it became very apparent that the we needed to remember that each of our actions affected others and if we each put our best foot forward and believed that others were doing the same it would all work out. My work place now is prepared but not scared and more of a cohesive team. We all rely on each other to have our backs.
Stephanie,
Building the correct expectations keeps things in perspective. No surprises for your people is a must.
Dr. Gary Carlson
I think that working in "crisis mode" causes unneccessary stress that can lead to low staff morale. There are other ways to get things done immediately like setting deadlines and following up.
Leanne,
You are absolutely correct in your observations. Crisis mode does not need to be until the crisis is actually upon us. People who appear to be in crisis mode all the time tend to burnout after a period of time. Your plan needs to be developed and revisited periodically. This keeps new employees fresh with the plan and with any needed updates to the plan. A normal work day should be just that. Crisis and motivation are two different entities. Work can be motivating and rewarding without crisis.
Dr. Gary Carlson
I was just thinking about this as I was going back through some of the lesson. In my experience, it is not just managers who manage to working in "crisis mode" 24/7, some people in general seem to live that way. There is some kind of positive reinforcement for every thing/every day being another emergency. Maybe it is the adrenalin rush. Or the feeling of relief when that moment's issue is over. Sometimes there is also that grey area between an urgent issue, something that does need immediate attention and a crisis. Just because something is urgent does not mean it is a potential disaster.
I don't believe that it is healthy or effective however. Crisis is stressful in its very nature. Living and working in that adrenalin fueled fight or flight mode takes a toll on the human body and on the organizational body. It doesn't allow time to pause and reflect which we need to really be able to rejuvenate and plan for the future. And I believe it does tend to blur our vision to true potential crisis.
I recognize in myself and my employees that tendency to go in to crisis mode unnecessarily often hits when we are fatigues or at a work flow crunch point. I try to remember to breathe and plan. I can't always say I am successful however.
William,
Crisis plans are a plan and are not to be lived out each day. Action takes place when the crisis occurs. Adaptability is the key to success when they occur.
Dr. Gary Carlson
My experience with being in permanent crisis mode, besides burning-out employees, seems to make people complacent. Like the boy who cried wolf.
Kim,
I agree with you. A plan is a path that may be changed. Remember to revisit periodically.
Dr. Gary Carlson
Gary,
I agree that working in crisis mode every day is not effective. When something actually occurs on site that needs attention my fear would be people would not react. It is almost like crying wolf.
Thanks! Kim
Don,
Your employees should feel safe with crisis plan but should not feel they need to be in a crisis mode everyday. This only lessens the value of the crisis plan. People become numb to the plan.
Dr. Gary Carlson
PARIS,
I agree with you, crisis planning should be objective and put on the potential of what could happen. Then revisit the plan on a periodic basis just to see if there needs to be changes.
Dr. Gary Carlson
