She looked confused.
I explained, “You know, what do you want for yourself in your job? Is there anything you’d like to learn? Is there something you’d like to do more of or less of on the job?”
She thought about my questions, then said, “There’s a new computer system on the floor. I’d love to create some new reporting forms. What we have is so outdated. It would help us a lot if we had a better way to track people and what they’re doing.”
“Great,” I said. “What’s it going to take? How can I help?”
“There’s a class I can take. I can sign up if you approve the overtime.”
We called for the class schedule and then found a way to balance her work with classroom time.
Dina, the second trainer came into my office. Again I asked, “So tell me, what is your vision?”
She looked confused.
I explained, “What do you want for yourself? How would you like to develop and grow? Is there something you’d like to do more of or less of on the job?”
She thought about the question, shifted her body a few times, and then sheepishly said, “I’d like to be a supervisor.”
“Great,” I said. “What’s it going to take? How can I help?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Can you ask some of the supervisors on the floor what they think?”
“Sure.”
“Good. Find out, then we can work out a plan together.” She came back a week later with a detailed plan of training and a commitment by one of the factory supervisors to mentor her development.
The third trainer, Sandy, came into my office. I skipped the vision question. “How would you like to develop yourself and how can I help?”
She thought about the question, then shut her eyes. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. Finally, she said, “I’ve worked here 16 years. This is the first time anyone asked me that.”
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