Processes are a part of life as a leader, manager, or employee. It’s hard to think of a business function in a modern organization without a prescribed process associated with it. From the time an employee starts work in the morning, to their daily work tasks, to their annual review and salary increase – there are processes for all of it.
But processes are not people. In fact, people are often the reason processes exist in the first place. We create processes to make sure things get done a certain way or to ensure that we consistently meet our goals. But when we focus too much on process, we can lose sight of the people who make up our organizations.
Leaders who focus too much on processes can often be perceived as cold or uncaring. They’re more concerned with getting things done than they are with how their employees feel. This can lead to high turnover and a general feeling of discontent among employees.
On the other hand, leaders who focus too much on people can often be perceived as pushovers. They’re more concerned with making their employees happy than they are with actually getting things done. This can lead to a lack of progress and a general feeling of stagnation among employees.
However, it’s easy for organizations to create a process and forget about the people using them. The key is to find a balance between people and process. Leaders need to be able to focus on both in order to be successful. Those who can do this will be able to create an environment where employees are both productive and happy.
The advent of tools such as Agile and Scrum have helped to bring the focus back to people in recent years. These frameworks put an emphasis on collaboration and communication, which helps to create a more human-centered workplace.
However, even with these tools, it’s still important for leaders to find a balance between people and process. too much focus on either one can lead to problems. The key is to find a balance that works for your organization.
How do you strike a balance between process and people?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Every organization is different and will need to find its own balance between process and people. However, there are a few general tips that can help:
1. Make sure your employees understand the processes they need to follow.
This may seem obvious, but it’s important to make sure that your employees actually know and understand the processes they need to follow. If they don’t, they’ll be more likely to make mistakes or become frustrated with the system. Take the time to explain the rationale behind each process and what it is trying to achieve. This will help your employees buy into the system and be more likely to follow it.
2. Encourage feedback on the processes you have in place.
Your employees are the ones who actually have to use the processes you’ve put in place. As such, they’re in a unique position to provide feedback on how well they work. Encourage your employees to speak up if they think a process could be improved. This will help you fine-tune your processes and make them more effective.
3. Be flexible with the processes you have in place.
No process is perfect and there will always be times when it needs to be tweaked or completely changed. Be open to making changes to your processes based on feedback from your employees. This will show them that you’re actually interested in making their lives easier and not just concerned with following the rules.
4. Don’t forget about the human element.
Remember that your employees are people, not robots. They have emotions and needs outside of work. Take the time to get to know your employees and what makes them tick. This will help you create a more personal connection with them and make them more likely to buy into your vision for the organization.
Five Ideas
Data collection and lead generation are also business processes. Link
Use analytics to empower agile decision-making. Link
Don’t leave out this important detail in the strategic planning process — your people. Link
How processes drive the success of flexible work. Link
Scrum Master vs. Project Manager: Which One Is Right For You? Link
Three Quotes
“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” – Winston Churchill
“The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.” – Carl Rogers
“If you can’t describe what you are doing as a process, you don’t know what you’re doing.” – W. Edwards Deming
One Question
Is your organization driven by processes or by people?
