Why Even With the Best Technology Employees Still Need to Improve Their Talent to Follow Directions

Technology has been a boon for travelers who need assistance in asking and following directions. With turn by turn activated voice instructions, travelers no longer have to pull over, read and map and then determine the best route to take.

In the K-12 experience, much of the success was the ability to follow directions. Remember filling out all those forms every fall asking for the same information? Or how about all that information necessary for those Scantron sheets that recorded all of your answers? Then fast forward today and venture into any medical facility. Following directions is critical if you wish to receive the proper reimbursement for your medical treatment.

The complexity of business from technology to international trading has necessitated a greater need for this specific talent intelligence of following directions. Also this now means that those writing instructions must understand how to write for absolute clarity and ease of use.

Additionally in business, this talent intelligence is integrated in a variety of process from manufacturing to paying invoices to just answering the phone. In spite of what is believe to be fairly simple behavior, failure to take the prescribed course of action can negatively affect productivity to profits.

When team members have this specific talent, they can simultaneously hear, understand and take the required instructions. To be able to demonstrate this talent also demands a willingness to take action by listening to what is being asked of them to do and sometimes postponing their own personal decision making process.

Conversely, employees who cannot follow directions may have difficulty in completing simple tasks according to the required instructions. Their inability has less to do with their intellectual capacity rather more than the necessity to require additional information to complete a task. Sometimes these people have a greater belief in their own innate abilities instead of relying on outside instructions. This may lead to a decline in production quality.

Following directions can be observed through these behaviors:

• Not asking to repeat directions after receiving directions
• Creating a schedule to ensure time lines are met
• Assessing policies and procedures and audit for compliance
• Reviewing existing directions to ensure they are clear, if not, then asking for clarification
• Sharing specific instructions flawlessly with others

Organizations that want to create a high performance culture need to ensure their employees know how to follow directions. Additionally, human resource departments that can identify and then develop this specific talent intelligence especially in those critical roles will be able to further showcase their value to the organization.

P.S. Download this free leadership audit because the real Issue is not "Do they (you) know it," but "Do they (you) want to do it?"

Do you really know your strengths or those of your employees? Learn more about how to maximize your talents and create a culture of high performance.

Executive coach and consultant, Leanne Hoagland-Smith partners with innovative leaders who want to dramatically improve their team results. What this looks like differs for each firm and why a free strategy session is offered by just calling 219.759.5601 CDT USA to have a conversation about the results you are seeking.