A False Sense of Security
As managers, it’s easy to be lulled into a false sense of security.
How was it for you?
I’m not a big fan of Apple right now. They’ve let me down several times with a huge loss of productivity in the process, but still I stick with them. Still, I avoid making the decision to switch operating systems. Because it’s the safe thing to do.
But when is enough, enough?
Every new manager faces this. When should I let this person go? At what point do we replace our PR agency? Is it time to throw up our hands and say this strategy just isn’t working and go back to the drawing board? We’ve all been guilty of maintaining the status quo because it’s the easy option.
As managers, though, it’s important (and hard) to not be lulled into a false sense of security. Don’t beat yourself up too hard, though. Your brain likes you to stick with what’s familiar because it’s safe for you. But when we’re safe, it’s easy to forget about future threats and opportunities. If only we had known that a pandemic was on the way, right? But if we were diligent (and some of us were), our organizations would have been mentally and culturally prepared for this unknown.
When everything is feeling good is exactly the time to shake things up a bit.
Ask questions
Questions take us in the direction we want to go. Want more revenue? Ask questions about how to get that. Want to be the go-to organization in your field? Ask questions about how to achieve that. Want to fast-track your career as a manager? Ask questions. The more specific the better.
Have an innovation strategy
Don’t worry, you won’t have to shake things up IRL just yet. Exploring new solutions behind the scenes, testing the temperature with stakeholders, and building plans and prototypes takes time. Innovative organizations invest in their future through intentional brainstorming and teams that take concepts forward. You don’t have to be an Apple to do this; any organization of any size can develop an innovation strategy.
What would go into your innovation strategy? Who would you involve? What are you waiting for?
Your comment?
Do you struggle with this, too? What has helped? Share in the comments.