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Success Thought of the Day – 3/22/21

The fact is that the system people work in … may account for 90 or 95 percent of performance. – W. Edwards Deming

 

“Are you working in the system or on the system?”  That was one of the best questions a team member asked me several years ago.

As a leader, it is easy to get our hands into everything, as we want to help others be successful, drive results and pursue the organization’s purpose.  However, there is a difference between the individual, in the moment efforts, and operating systems.

I liken it to a glass of water spilling on a table; if it happens once or twice, it is acceptable to grab a towel and clear it up.   However, if this will be a repeated act, you need to address the real need, fix the spill’s cause, or install a “system” of trenches to catch and dispose of the water.

Give some thought to the systems you have stewardship responsibility for and make them better.

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