What modern business lacks is party organizers. Like commissars or chaplains in the army. People who provide management with knowledge on how to deal with subordinates, and offer subordinates positive motivation. Not everything that “hurts” in a company will be shared by employees with their boss. And it’s better to treat problems while they’re still in a latent stage, rather than calling in a doctor when it’s time to call a carpenter.
Are you sure you know why your people work for you? Are you REALLY sure, or did you just find a quick answer? After all, each person has their own internal motivations. And there is no quick answer—what you need are “party leaders.”
Do you know the answer to why people are passive? Do you think it’s a trait of their character? You might say they are always passive, even when they are fighting each other in CS. Or have you decided that workers can’t be trusted? But why should people even deserve your trust? Do you have a bad life experience? Well, that’s your experience and it doesn’t concern your people. Do you want to understand what’s what and how to make people work effectively? Cursing at a meeting won’t help; it will only make things worse, giving the illusion of an effect. Once again, a commissioner is needed here.
A commissioner is needed, first and foremost — by you. If you are the head of a company and your people ask you for a “commissioner,” listen to them and invite me “to talk.” Don’t waste time. Even if you feel that “everything is fine” or, on the contrary, “there are too many more important matters,” deciding to bring in a “commissioner” will earn you honor and respect. Any company is about its people. There are no matters more important than those concerning your employees. Most likely, a commissioner will help you see your affairs from a different perspective, and that alone is a significant step. At the same time, if you truly have a lot on your plate, a commissioner can assist you in fulfilling one of your most important functions — listening to people. Yes, just listening. No matter how “unproductive” or “trivial” it may seem.
It’s important to visit the dentist when everything is fine, not just when it’s time to pull teeth (in our case, to let people go).