Creating Successful Positions Within an Organization

People fail at their jobs when positions are not created properly, by managers, so that the position can be successful. The vast majority of business problems are system / position problems and not people problems. Poor management says that when a person isn't doing a good job, it must be that person's fault due to lack of ability or lack of desire. So often though, the reality is that people don't fail - instead the position was not designed well enough for any person to do a good job in it.

A smart manager knows that their own success depends on the success of each person they supervise. They know that a well-defined and solidly-structured job position will help to create the success they expect and that is expected of them as managers.

To create a successful position within any organization, follow these guidelines.

1. Define the position with a Mission Statement.
2. Define clear goals for the position along with indicators of success.
3. Fit the position into an (already existing) organizational chart.
4. Write a very clear and detailed job description.
5. Write routing steps and policies for the position.
6. Create a tracking system that illustrates problems and successes.
7. Choose the right person to fit the position.
8. Fanatically train the new person with written training materials.
9. Introduce and integrate the new position (and person) into the organization.
10. Continually follow up on progress and give timely and appropriate feedback.

First, notice that finding the right person doesn't occur until step 7 in this process. The rest is about the structure and definition of the position, not the person. Follow these steps and you will find that the majority of your employees will perform like all-stars. Give them the tools to be successful and you, as manager, will be successful.

Finally, realize that each of these 10 steps depends first on the manager's ability. Even step 7 requires the manager to be able to match the right person with the position, and even to be able to identify talented people in the first place. Lesson: the manager's abilities can make or break an organization. Use those abilities and these 10 steps to create successful positions that good people can be successful in.