It reminds me of learning to make ginger cookies with my Gram V. nearly 50 years ago. Gram made the best ginger cookies. They were round in shape and rolled out – not “dropped” or shaped like “people”. Each had white sugar sprinkled on top and with a cold glass of milk could “fix” almost any problem I encountered.
Gram was a stickler and reminded me to “always follow the recipe - step by step- and your ginger cookies will turn out great”. In my early “apprentice” ginger cookie baking days, I had great intentions but sometimes my actions didn’t match. For example, a couple of times I did things out of sequence and ultimately added more work. Sometimes I didn’t measure the way Gram taught me and the cookies tasted very “different” – yes, I quickly learned teaspoon versus tablespoon made a BIG difference. More than once I forgot an ingredient because I didn’t use the recipe card – I thought I just knew what to do. One time I accidentally used baking powder instead of baking soda because I was preoccupied with something else. Another time I wanted to go out and play so I secretly raised the oven temperature 100 degrees – yup the cookies were dried out and many burned! But each time I kept my promise and took the time to follow the recipe and process – Gram’s ginger cookies always came out the way I expected – delicious and very satisfying (to both the baker and cookie eater).
Research has proven time and time again that world-class engagement requires some key ingredients including showing genuine interest in the individual; dialoguing through two-way communication; giving and accepting feedback on performance; counseling on careers; and showing appreciation. If you short-cut, substitute, or rush through these interactions (not transactions) then both the leader and his/her employees may not be fully engaged. Your ultimate performance and results may reflect this too.