We get very comfortable with the st
atus quo. It often takes a new person to join the team to offer a new perspective... the adage of the "new broom sweeps clean".
If this new person is in a position of power or leadership, others can feel threatened. If the new person is one of the rank and file, often they feel they can't say anything.
Other times their opinion is not listened to or dismissed with a
"We don't do it that way here." The culture seems set in stone.
I'm not advocating change for the sake of change, but often a fresh pair of eyes can see things we miss.
As a freelance writer, I'm often asked by colleagues to proofread or edit something they've looked at so many times, they feel they're too close to it to be objective.
Mystery shoppers are employed to be that objective pair of eyes in a retail environment. Gordon Ramsay of Kitchen Nightmares or the chef from The Chopping Block come in and rescue ailing restaurants with their outsider's perspective.
While an outside perspective, including customer feedback can be valuable, it's all too easy to forget about harnessing the potential of what the staff can contribute with their suggestions.
In a culture that values open communication, the staff themselves can give invaluable feedback.
- How can you encourage feedback from staff?
Comment Preview