Feeling better isn't the same thing as getting better.
When trying to overcome a person, team, or even an entire company that is not performing up to snuff, there is almost always an effort to find a one-time, quick fix that solves the problem. At such time, consultants are brought in, or experienced internal personnel are reassigned, so that the problem can be dealt with quickly.
There’s a belief that any problem can be solved with an injection of wisdom, or best practices, or some amount of learning via a seminar, training class, or off-site management council. Inevitably, however, the medicine wears off and the symptoms come back. In their haste to deal with today’s problem, we find that management has treated nothing but the symptoms, and the underlying disease has remained. In fact, their was never even an attempt to try and diagnose it.
The fact of the matter is this: There’s no Magic Pill. It doesn’t exit, it never has, and it never will. Unfortunately, many systems of reward promote short-term thinking. The manager or leader who makes it appear as if a problem has gone away is sure to be rewarded. They’ll take this apparent accomplishment and use it as a launching pad to promotion, or as a highlight with which to market themselves to their next company. It is possible, sometimes, that the systemic causes for poor performance have been addressed. More than likely, what appeared to be a cure was merely temporary injection that made the patient feel better, but the next doctor on the case will find that something’s still wrong. In fact, the disease may have worsened or spread.
Healing the work place isn’t so different from healing a person. It requires several things:
- A realization that our own behaviors are contributing to the illness, if not its direct cause.
- Living healthy by eliminating bad habits has remarkably restorative powers, and prevents future illness.
- Rehabilitating the sick or injured is difficult, but the result is tremendous and long-lasting, at less cost.
- Bandages and painkillers are only to relieve discomfort, not eliminate it.
- When surgery is required, it’s best performed by an expert.
About the author David M. Kasprzak
I am a seasoned project and management analyst with over 14 years of experience as a trusted advisor to all levels on planning, measuring and analyzing activities. From small-scale internal projects to multi-year development efforts supporting enterprise-wide initiatives at the C-level, I “get geeky” seeing great management practices yield great outcomes. I am a fierce & vocal advocate for learning, collaborative approaches to work and pursuing Operational Excellence through challenging the status quo and fostering management innovation
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