Episode 2 of Crushing the Competition with Dave Dodson
This episode with is part of three episodes designed to deliver punch and focus in three parts The Manager's Superpowers, Employee Heroes and lastly, Leveraging Strategy
Dave Dodson is the guru behind the amazingly useful The Manager's Handbook (not boring; inside joke from original episode #134)

Employee Training and Development
B.D. and David discussed the importance of employee training and development in an organization. David emphasized that a manager's role is not just about managing but also about teaching and coaching employees. They highlighted that an employee can be a 'hero' within the company by excelling at their job. The discussion also touched upon the significance of decision-making skills, with David suggesting a process to help employees improve this skill.
Creativity and Productivity Framework
David and B.D. discussed the importance of having a clear process or system in place to guide employees' creativity and productivity. David explained that, contrary to taking away freedom, a framework actually allows for more creativity by giving a clear direction. They used the example of running a good meeting and hiring processes as instances where a system can enhance the creative process. B.D. brought up the idea of celebrating employees, and David suggested that true employee morale comes from a sense of teamwork and shared purpose, rather than superficial rewards.
Team Morale and Feedback Loop Debate
David and B.D. had a discussion about the importance of establishing a feedback loop to boost morale in a team. David emphasized the need to set priorities and reward team members who succeed, asserting that this approach would inherently boost morale. B.D. raised concerns about how to handle team members who might resent those being rewarded. This question remained unresolved by the end of the segment.
Success, Problems, and Coaching Strategies
David emphasized the importance of defining success and rewarding it. They also addressed the issue of handling people with more fundamental problems in the workplace. They suggested asking whether the problem lies with the player or the coach, focusing on behaviors rather than the person, determining if the problem is skill-based or attribute-based, and figuring out if the person is coachable. David shared their personal experience of using these methods to help a senior officer become one of the best CEOs they knows.
Hiring Process: First 100 Days' Importance
B.D. and David discussed the importance of the first 100 days in the hiring process, particularly in integrating new employees into the team. David emphasized the need to evaluate the initial decision to hire someone, including the risk of hiring a potentially unsuitable candidate. They also highlighted the importance of a structured transition for new employees, including comprehensive training and understanding of company norms. David concluded that successfully navigating the first 100 days significantly increases the likelihood of retaining talented employees long-term.
Employee Retention and Performance Management
David and B.D. discussed the challenges of employee retention in a competitive job market. David stressed the importance of not just keeping employees, but also ensuring that star performers are embedded within the company. They also discussed the evolution of management, moving from a system of rank and yank to a more sophisticated approach of measuring and coaching employee performance. David suggested that if a company has 10 people, it doesn't necessarily need to get rid of 2 or 3, but rather, focus on changing their behavior to ensure success. B.D. asked about the three key performance indicators (KPIs) David would focus on if starting a company. David suggested focusing on quality, the ability to attract and hire talent, and teaching the organization to manage distractions and stay focused.
Standing Out in Business: Shifting Roles and Creating Super Teams
David and B.D. had a conversation about the importance of standing out in business by doing more than the competition. David stressed the need for business leaders to shift their role from being a teacher to a coach, and to teach their team these skills. They also discussed the idea of creating super teams.
https://daviddodsonauthor.com/