Right person for the right job! - sounds simple? It's not always. We had positioned a competent engineer as a factory manager, years back. He had all reasons to succeed - good shopfloor experience, good with people, technically strong, had done union agreements. But in a completely new geography, with the language and culture unknown, he couldn't do well. Any number of conversations on inputs, support didn't work. We moved him to a completely different, in a new geography and setting. He did reasonably well there. We positioned a bright IITian as incharge of quality in a plant. It was a very exciting role and his predecessors with similar profiles had done very well in this role. The role was demanding in terms of complexity and interface with a diverse set of stakeholders. He miserably failed, to our shock and disbelief. We had conversations on concerns and support required, but situation hardly changed. We moved him into another role, in another plant, focused on a new technology project. He did pretty well. While, we deploy well oiled processes to identify and position talent for critical positions, we can get it wrong a few times. The system also considers growth and learning aspirations of individuals in positioning people.Thankfully, instead of labeling the resource as incompetent, we try to match the requirements with specific capabilities after such experiences. But these experiences dent the confidence of individuals. And despite such efforts in offering newer and different roles, few individuals may still not fit into these roles well, and fail to deliver.
It's a valid point raised by you but only a few companies think that way. They just label the person incompetent and fire them even if they know that the problem lies somewhere else and not with that individual.
communication and requirement of job is very important : I will share a true example. Security guard was instructed to open the dicky of all cars including MD's car while going out of the factory. One day I happen to be in car with the MD, as per routine the Security guard opened the dicky and closed it, though there was some material inside. When I asked the Security Guard, why did he not ask the challan/gate pass for the material in the dicky. His reply was, I was told to open dicky and close, I was not told to check gate pass or any other document. So the right communication and what you want from the employee should be spelt out in clear terms. The HR department should keep on updating the requirements for a specific job from the employee.
It's fascinating how even the best-laid plans can go awry when the human element is involved. Your stories underscore that competence isn't just about skills, but also the right environment and support. Recognizing the need to adapt and re-position rather than labelling someone a failure is crucial. Kudos 🤝 for your adaptive strategy that supports both finding the right fit and individual growth 🤗
Very true Sir. The 1% that move to key roles generally would have affiliated them as the organization leadership or the organization itself (intrapreneurship). There is no looking back on behaviour and results. Sometimes probably personal reasons, poaching, tendency to go back to comfort zone might deter a few for a short time. Once they shed this fears, they are unstoppable.
I have worked with few leaders in the past who are immature and does not have relevant leadership skills but still have reached to certain levels. This post may be an eye opener to many leaders like them who do not know the true meaning of leadership….!!
Failure to deliver from a critical position is not only due to lack of capability...sometimes, lack of clear communication about the challenge, dept hierarchy, team strength & weakness, authority to change, boss's way of working forces to fail.
Thought-provoking but most of pspdisns are not in as your thoughts. We need to insight chexk those capabilities and nurture them
Interesting view.. It happened 👍
Valid point! Placement plays an important role in the Recruitment process. You can't have Sachin or Kohli at all places in cricket team...
Slave
2moSome positioning worked out very well. You will have to admit. 😊