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It's Complicated, But It Doesn't Have To Be
by Mike Wagner
At the end of a work day, as your head hits the pillow, is your last thought, "I hope tomorrow's  work is MORE complex"? Not likely! That's because you know complexity, uncertainty, and puzzlement will not be in short supply the next morning - or any morning.
That is why effective leadership continually works at...Read complete article >
Brand Challenge:
Humans possess an infinite ability to complicate the simple. Whether it's a product of higher learning or egos that equate complexity with intelligence and value, it is a crippling "disease".
Challenge: If your organization is not achieving the desired outcomes, or is taking too long to do so, look for ways to simplify your:
- Mission - Have a 10-year-old read your mission statement and ask them what your organization does. If all you get is a puzzled look, then it's too complicated. Take out the polysyllabic and Harvard Business School words. Simplify.
- Directives - This goes for goals, action items, instructions, orders, etc. If they're not being done, or done incorrectly, they are probably not clear. More is not always better - get to the heart of the matter quickly. Simplify.
- Processes - Review processes for unnecessary or antiquated steps. Remove extraneous information and use common terms to improve understanding and, therefore, productivity. Simplify.
These will do for starters, but strive to bring simplicity to every aspect of your organization and enjoy the clarity and increased productivity it will bring.
Ask the Rabbit
Q: I'm having trouble relaying the vision for my company in a way that everyone in the organization can understand. How can I make sure my message is received?
A: Leaders often suffer from the burden of too much knowledge. They gather information to better understand their customers, the marketplace, and their operation but struggle to meaningfully communicate with the rest of their organization.
Ensure everyone will receive your message by breaking it down to its most basic form. Leaders possess a lot of information, but many times the entire organization is not ready, or doesn't need, all the details. When teaching someone to play an instrument you don't start with Mozart, you start with simple notes and chords.
As a leader, focus your message on the essentials to keep the organization moving forward, without getting bogged down in the minutia. Provide inspiration and high-level vision in a way your audience can understand and let individual managers present the details that are relevant to their specific areas. Do this properly and you'll produce a motivated workforce anxious to deliver on your vision. |
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Ideas and practical applications from Mike’s unique perspective. Sometimes the solution is so simple it's difficult to see. Read about how a simple, creative, idea helped two companies: Good Neighbors and Creative Solutions >
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10/1: CIRAS Workshop - Mason City
10/8: CIRAS Workshop - Cedar Rapids
10/14: CIRAS Workshop - Council Bluffs
10/20: CIRAS Workshop - Burlington
10/21: Latham Hi-Tech Seeds
10/23-25: Idaho Episcopal Diocese Conference
10/29: CIRAS Workshop - Independence
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"Starting Chipolte From Scratch"
by Colleen Debaise
 In this Wall Street Journal interview with Chipolte Mexican Grill founder Steve Ells, discover how keeping it simple was the secret to his accidental success. Ells' "simple" was born out of necessity, but he also made it unique, "If everybody is telling you that it's wrong, maybe that's an indication that it's an original idea. Find out more >
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