Life keeps giving me this reminder. This week it was taking my Airstream out for it’s maiden voyage and trying to get this stabilizing hitch hooked up correctly. I read the manual for the parts that weren’t already assembled by the previous owners and then followed the steps but couldn’t get the stabilizer bars connected. So I jumped into action about moving the hitch up, but it needed very large and special tools. I quickly got to work calling stores and friends to see where I could get these tools. I spun up several people and had a detailed action plan. All good things, but for the wrong tasks. Meanwhile, my family was waiting for me to go to dinner with them, so I stopped but took the manual with me in the car and read the sections I skipped earlier. In that section I saw all I needed to do to get the bars in place was use the trailer jack to lift up the truck once connected to the trailer. When I got home, I did that and it was set up perfectly without any adjustment. My family forcing me to slow down made it faster, easier, and more effective.
It is the same at work. We see an issue and get to work on it at once, calling several team members, give out assignments to quickly address it quickly. That sounds good, but often creates ineffectiveness, wasted time, and damaged relationships. In my rush, I may inadvertently give the same assignment to two people, or create urgent work for a team member over the weekend. Then reflecting on my response, realize it was the wrong approach or it didn’t need done at all. If we slow down and reflect before jumping to action, we will be more effective and have better relationships. Measure twice and cut once. Follow the 8-D process, starting with defining the problem.
It was a great reminder for me and a great relief that my hitch didn’t need any adjustments requiring hours of work. Where have you been ineffective by being too fast? Where has that speed damaged a relationship? Where did you speak to fast? What methods do you use to slow down to be more effective？I’d love to hear from you.
Have a great weekend,
Art
