What's Working and Not Working

[tconnor]

Management Tips #246
What's Working and Not Working

“Expecting different results from repeated behavior is a mild form of insanity.” Yogi Berra

I am amazed at how frequently this quote has applied to me and various areas of my life. How about you? Does it apply to any area of your business today? A department? Policy? Procedure? You and your attitudes, expectations or behavior?

To combat this habit of repeating mistakes in judgment, decisions or actions I have developed the following three questions that I ask myself every month, quarter and year. I often share these questions with my audiences to get them thinking.

The three questions are:

1. What are you doing in your life, career, business etc. that is working? Why is it working
2. What are you doing in these same areas that is not working? Why isn’t it working?
3. What did you used to do in these areas that used to work – that you have stopped doing? When and why did you stop doing these things?

These three critical questions can keep you traveling in the right direction in all areas of your business, career and life if you will ask them often enough and pay close attention to the answers you get.

The purpose of this exercise is to ensure I am:

1. Focusing on the right things in the right way.
2. Letting go of old stuff that isn’t working.
3. Re-evaluating my career, business and life from a past, as well as a future, orientation.
4. Stretching myself into new areas of development.
5. Experimenting with new strategies, attitudes, philosophies, feelings and skills.
6. Re-inventing myself each year.
7. Staying ahead of the curve of change that is relentless.
8. Keeping my material, approaches and style relevant.

Many people are stuck in old ways of thinking, doing and believing that just are not working for them anymore. Many managers, executives and business owners are bogged down in products, policies and approaches that just are not working – and may never have but they hold on to them for dear life, regardless. Why - Fear? Comfort? Indecision? Arrogance? Ignorance? Ego? Politics? It could be any or all of these or others.

Are you holding on to something that you need to let go of?

1. A product that has outlived its purpose or usefulness?
2. An unproductive or negative employee that is sabotaging the productivity of a department or the entire organization?
3. A policy that should have been changed months or years ago?
4. An attitude or prejudice that is getting in the way of your personal success?
5. A management style that is counterproductive?
6. A procedure that is redundant or counter productive?
7. A habit pattern that is keeping you or your organization from improved effectiveness?

Why not spend some time on these 7 questions to see if you can uncover any areas that need modification or abandonment. If you feel really daring, why not put these questions to some of your employees or direct reports for their responses.