If you want to boost productivity in your company, then you need to start using an understudy.
In theater and dance, an understudy is critical to a live performance. This person learns the lines, songs, or choreography of a regular performer even though they may never be needed to showcase their talents.
Why is this important from a business perspective? Let?s say the star of the show wakes up with a fever or no voice. Without an understudy, the performance is cancelled due to the illness. No show, no money, and that?s a big problem.
With an understudy, the show goes on. That person knows the role and can fill in at a moment?s notice. It?s very much like a backup quarterback on the football field. Actually, the understudy probably has had more time practicing.
In your company, do you have an understudy? Very often, someone kind of knows your duties and responsibilities. Does this fill you with confidence? Maybe you taught them how to do things a year ago. Do you want to rely on their long term memory to keep things running if you suddenly have to be off the job?
To Clear the Path to increased productivity and less stress, make sure you don?t leave this preparation to chance. If you had to teach someone once how to fill your shoes, then you should periodically repeat this process. It?s likely that something may have changed. Don?t rely on the other person to be able to figure things out.
Many long term absences are the result of the unexpected. You don’t know when it’s coming but you can prepare.
Some resist this kind of training because they like their company to feel their absence and for things to go wrong while they are out of the office. This not only hurts productivity but also makes life a living Hell for the person who is trying to replace you while you?re gone. As it’s been said before, “Do onto others as they do onto you.”
You’ll also be appreciated for your forward thinking approach to the unexpected. Find your understudy today or volunteer to serve as someone’s backup. To paraphrase Shakespeare, “To be or not to be… prepared.”
