The one thing
When I am called into organisations to bring improvement—whether to coach an individual or bring larger-scale enhancements across the business—I document a set of desired outcomes at the start. From this list, my ongoing question (to myself) is: what one thing, would potentially impact all other outcomes? I call this the peripheral effect.
In one situation, four areas of business improvement were required. I asked, “What is the one thing?” which led me down the path of speaking with one particular manager. In a discussion with him, he said he didn’t like his job and no longer wanted to be in the role. We identified what he wanted to do, changed his position, and almost overnight, things on the periphery changed positively. There was other work to do, for sure, but that one thing affected the many.
Often, a hundred areas clamour for attention, all requiring improvement. And while it’s never just one thing, asking the question may help you uncover the critical area(s) requiring specific immediate focus.
Ray
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ray@rayhodge.com.au; www.rayhodge.com.au; +61 403 341 105
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