Wisdom Wednesday

When Ian Macdonald of Johannesburg, South Africa, the general manager of a small manufacturing plant had the opportunity to accept a very large order, he was so sure that he would not meet the promised delivery date.
The work already scheduled in the shop and the short completion time needed for this order made it seem impossible to accomplish.
Instead of pushing his people to accelerate their work and rush the order through, he thought of a better way and did three things;

1. He called them all to a meeting.
2. He explained the situation to them and told them how much it would mean to the company and to them if they could produce the order at the time specified.
3. He asked them questions;

• 'Is there anything we can do to handle this order?'
  *'Can anyone think of different ways to process that would make it possible to take the order?'
  *' Is there any way to adjust our hours or personnel assignments to help make the order possible'
  The employees came up with many ideas and insisted he take the order.
  Note that he approached them with a 'We can do it' attitude and that was what made the order accepted, produced and delivered on time.
  Are you a leader?
  Do you make decisions either for yourself or for other people, even if it's just one person?
  As you go on today, always remember this;
  Rather than give orders, ask questions, ask people's opinions. It makes them feel respected and valued that way and their cooperation is more guaranteed too.
  It is also a very wise thing to do.
  P.S: Story source: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
  Have a most productive day ahead!