Early in my
career I believed that when I noticed something wrong it was my duty to point
it out. As I grew in management my
supervisors were able to convince me that the value was in identifying the
solution to what was wrong. I have
noticed that in many work situations as well as personal situations the need to
point out the problem is perceived by those doing the pointing as adding
value. It is not. Similarly, many people seem to believe that
identifying the solution to the problem adds value. While important, I wish to convince you it
may not.
Any fool can
identify a problem. Any smart person can
identify a solution to a problem.
Success comes to those who IMPLEMENT the solution that those smart
people identify. Business strategies may
look good on paper but until they are executed no value occurs. Personal improvement plans are important but
if not enacted result in no improvement.
Most of you recognize the saying “Actions speak louder than words”. 1st John 3:17-18 makes that
case. James 3:13 says to let the wise
and understanding show by their behavior the gentleness of wisdom.
The
television show “The Biggest Loser” takes a group of overweight people each
season and works to restore their health through weight loss. I find it interesting that the problem of
being overweight is understood. Enormous
money is spent by Americans every year on diets, specific foods, fitness
programs etc. Each plan has a group of people
who testify to the effectiveness of the solution being provided. Yet, statistically a growing number of
Americans are overweight or obese. It is
another example of having the potential solution not work due to poor implementing
of the plan.
Why does
implementing seem so difficult? If by
now you are convinced that any fool can identify the problem here is an
astounding statistic. According to a
study by Corboy & O’Corrbui 70% of strategic plans in business are never
successfully implemented. While there are poor strategies in business and in
personal plans, the highest chance for success comes from focusing on the
implementation. While there are many
flowcharts and project plans to use as tools, a simple review of the
implementer is the key.
If the one
person or team chosen to implement the plan is fully aware of all the details
and timelines, the most likely issue is motivation. While that assumes the details are
communicated and understood (which should be verified first), the hard work of
doing it requires a desire to achieve the result. The assessment leads to the planning but to
be sustained it must become part of the culture. Personal culture is similar to corporate
culture, in a key way. Corporate culture
can be described as “this is the way we do it around here”. Personal culture comes from “how” you do
everything you do.
All
motivation is self motivation. While
others can provide a climate to make it seem more normal, as they do on The
Biggest Loser, it is the internal belief that makes it happen. Implementer’s view of themselves must be as
achievers rather than attempters.
Completing every detail with excellence must be “how things are
done”. If that is not the description of
the person or persons chosen to implement a strategy, anticipate poor
results. If you are the implementer of
your person strategies, change your view of yourself to match the desired
result. If you oversee the team, check
their view of implementation culture.
