The Welch Way
(From The Welch Way, The Empolyee Handbook for Enhancing Corporate Performance, by Jeffrey A. Krames, published by Tata McGraw Hill)
Lead
-Articulate a vision, and spark others to execute it.
– Don’t manage every excruciating detail.
– Involve everyone and welcome great ideas from everywhere.
Get Less Formal
– Brainstorm with colleagues and bosses
– Hold more informal meetings
– Consider a once-in-a-while informal get together
Blow up bureaucracy
– Drop unnecessary work
– Work with colleagues to streamline decision making
– Make your workplace more informal
Face reality
– Look at things with a fresh eye
– Don’t fall into the ‘false scenarios’ trap.
– Leave yourself with several options
Simplify
– Simplify the workplace.
– Make meetings simpler.
– Eliminate complicated memos and letters.
See change as an opportunity
– Know that change is here to stay.
– Expect the least expected, but move quickly to stay a step ahead.
– Prepare those around you for the inevitable change that will affect their lives.
Lead by energizing others
– Never lead by intimidation.
– Let others know exactly how their efforts are helping the organization.
– Send handwritten thank-you notes to colleagues and customers.
Defy tradition
– Hold a “why do we do it that way?” meeting.
– Invite colleagues from your department to contribute one idea on changing something important at the company.
– Don’t be afraid to buck conventional wisdom.
Make intellect rule
– Spend an hour per week learning what competitors are doing.
– Offer a reward for the best idea.
– Work for organizations committed to training and learning.
Pounce every day
– Live urgency
– Make decisions faster
– Work harder
Put values first
– Don’t harp on numbers.
– Lead by example.
– Let values rule.
Manage less
– Don’t get bogged down in meaningless details.
– Manage less
– Empower, delegate, get out of the way.
Involve everyone
– Participate more
– Make sure everyone feels free to speak out.
– Suggest an informal brainstorming session.
Rewrite your agenda
– Do not plan years ahead.
– Develop alternative plans and options.
– Expect the unexpected.
Live speed
– Don’t “sit” on decisions.
– Communicate faster.
– Incorporate speed into every activity/process.
Instill confidence
– Let people know that you value their ideas.
– Simplify the workplace.
– Focus on training.
Set stretch goals
– Reach for the unreachable.
– Forget decimal points.
– Don’t punish yourself – or anyone else – for falling short of a stretch goal.
Eliminate the boundaries
– Seek out new ideas from everyone.
– Be sure to look outside the company for good ideas.
– Never stop eliminating boundaries.
Articulate a vision
– Write down the vision.
– Avoid the minutiae.
– Hire and promote those most capable of turning visions into reality.
Get good ideas from everywhere
– Don’t think you or your company have all the answers.
– Study competitors.
– Make sure everyone around you knows that you are interested in all ideas, regardless of where they come from.
Spark others to perform
– Never bully or intimidate.
– Make sure to use all the intellect.
– Make sure everyone knows that the best idea wins.
Quality is your job
– Take great pride in your work.
– Seek out quality training
– Never think that quality is someone else’s job.
Change never ends
– Face reality and know that change is here for good.
– Suggest an informal “change meeting”.
– Think short-term and long-term change.
Have fun
– Make informality a way of life
– Find a job that challenges you.
– Don’t stay in the same job forever.