Why You Don’t Want To Do What You Don’t Want To Do

What can I do for you?Why is that helpful?And why is that?Hmm, so why does that end up being a benefit?When we’re working with a team or with clients, one of the most powerful ways to create a valuable solution is to dive deep into the nuts and bolts of the problem.The saying is “5 Why’s.”It takes asking “Why” 5 times before you get to the root of the problem.And let me stop you right now from thinking that this is just some silly platitude or truism.The biggest benefit of diving deep is that by solving the root problem, you prevent future problems from popping up.In fact, fixing bugs as soon as they pop up in software can prevent extra work later on—the book “Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time” mentions that problem solving can be 3-5 times more work if the problem waits a few weeks.Moral of the story?Dive deep. Dive immediately.

2 Minute Action:

What’s the thing you DON’T want to do today?Why not?Why’s that?So, why?Okay, but why?And why do you think that is?Alright, so what are you going to do about it?

The Defining Reason Leaders Fail

I want you to think about the last time you worked with someone who didn't do their job well.Were they always late?Did they not not complete their work?Were they sloppy?If you were their boss (and maybe you were) would you fire them?Whose fault is it?Most people would say: "Look, if they can't do the job I hired them for, that's on them."Wrong.Confused? Let me explain.

The difference between mediocre leaders and great leaders is one simple factor: ownership.

Who owns the project? Who owns the problem? Who owns the department?The leader does--and by leader, I don't always mean the person in charge.

It's up to you to take ownership of what's at hand.

Could you have been more kind?Could you have better set them up for success?Could you have listened to them instead of telling them what to do (or what not to do)?No matter if you're middle management, a barista at Starbucks, or a CEO of a Fortune 5 company . . .You're responsible for being your best everyday. You're responsible for training those around you how to be their best. No one else is going to do this for you.You're the owner of your life. You're the owner of the outcomes within that life. You're the owner of your destiny.

ACTION:

What's one thing that happened at work recently that you blamed someone for? Did they deserve it? How might you reframe that situation in your head to take responsibility as a leader?Would love to hear your stories here.