Demoralize Your Teams Quickly and Efficiently with Micromanagement (2010)
This thread provides me with an opportunity to ask for advice.I am a manager of a family-owned post office. It's a rather intense job, and I ensure that I'm aware of the "status" of each of the 6 employees. If they're feeling unwell or worn out, I'll tell them to do the simpler jobs.
It's much like a typical retail job with handling of stock and money.. but there's a very important difference: we have strict procedures to follow for mail, money and identity services. I've told the staff that the procedures set out by Australia Post are paramount and that their "habits" when dealing with customers must ensure everything is verified and triple-checked.Unfortunately, some of the staff have developed lazy habits. They easily notice any issues when it's quiet, they're feeling good and performing a typical transaction. However if it's busy, they're distracted or handling an unusual transaction, they are prone to making mistakes.How do I help them develop better habits? If they are willing to change but having trouble, what do I do? If they are unwilling to change, what do I do?I really don't want to micromanage, but they're simply making too many mistakes and we may be liable for them.
I've told them at times to go slower yet their comfort with their habits makes them go quickly even if I tell them to take their time and double check.
If I make a checklist for them to go through in the longer transactions, they just check every box without truly thinking about it.Any advice would be appreciated.