You already know how to get your organisation to work

You know this isn’t healthy right?

First it was no fat.  Then it was no carbs.  Now it’s no sugar.

If you want to be healthy, you already know what to do.  You know what good food is, or at least you know what bad food is.  And you know you should go for a walk.  Or a run.  Or something involving a little sweat.

It’s not complicated.

But it’s not easy to do is it?  Which is why the raft of quick-fix, follow-this-easy-plan diets continues to proliferate, why we live under the illusion that if we find the right magazine article we will magically reach a healthy weight and why we see people in the aisles of the supermarket squinting at lamingtons to check the sugar content!

Eat more fruit & veg.  Eat less pies.  Go for a walk.

Simple.  But it takes discpline.

First it was strategy, then it was reengineering.  Then it was lean and six sigma.  Now it’s innovation and complexity.

If you want a healthy organisation, you already know what to do.  You know your people need to know why they are here, or at least why they are not here.  And you know you should have some sort of plan, clarify what everyone’s job is, be clear on what they need to deliver, and meet regularly to discuss how things are going and what needs to change.

It’s not complicated.

But it’s not easy to do is it?  Which is why the raft of quick-fix, follow-this new org design or management technique continues to proliferate, why we live under the illusion that if we find the right magazine article we will magically reach an organisation that is a great place to work,  and why we see people in various lunch-rooms having yet another conversation about ‘this place’ rather than ‘here’s what our customers need’.

Create more clarity on where we’re going and why.  Let people know their contribution and how their roles fit together.  Provide what they need so they can get the work done.  Let them know how they’re going.  Meet regularly.

Simple.  But it takes discipline.