When something is not working well, a program, process, plan, what is the first thing we should do? I know in our experience the thing that we default to, is creating a new idea. Logically if something is not working, then the idea is wrong. Small groups not working ... new model, growth classes not working ... new curriculum, people not connecting ... new communication. Now don't get me wrong we need to continue to change as a church or we become institutionalized. But if you wait until something is broken, it's usually too late.
What if it is not the model, or curriculum, or communication? What if it is more of how we execute those plans. I have a friend who is a top tier consultant who has given me a phrase I think about often, "An 80% correct strategy well executed, is better than a 100% correct strategy poorly executed."
When something is not working as we would like, the first place we need to look is in the execution ... have we given this idea 100% execution -- resourcing, energy, visibility, and the hard work of following through with details, that go unseen if things are going well.
Too many times we jump to new ideas, that will lead us to exactly where we already are, because the issue isn't the idea, it is the execution.
Thoughts?
Sunday, July 12, 2009
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It could be the execution OR the idea that is broken. If a thing is not working, I agree that the first place to look is the execution – tuning execution closer to 100% will let you know if the idea is right or not.
ReplyDeleteBUT, how long do you keep something in place before a new cycle of ideation is necessary?
So, I guess to respond to your first question - I think both. Sometimes, we do need new ideas and sometimes we need to tune our execution. Knowing which needs the attention - the idea or the execution – I guess is the mark of good leadership.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with your consultant friend 100% not just because it's logical but because I believe it is Biblical. I think about the parable of the talents. To the slave who buried his one talent in the ground the Master said he should have at least put it in the bank so he could've gotten interest. See, even a not-so-great idea (deposit in a savings account vs. doubling your money like the other two slaves), that was well-executed, wins.
ReplyDeleteSo often in our lives we'd rather be problem solvers than faithful workers. We want to believe in the external factors that dictate success and failures. We want to mitigate them because it's far less convicting and frightening than truly believing that the greatest indicator of success is our own faithfulness.
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ReplyDeleteGrant, sorry to disagree but not every idea is worth continuing. Even if a bad idea is well executed, at some point, it is time to develop new ideas.
ReplyDeleteBurying the talent in the ground was certainly a bad idea well executed.
The talent in the parable does not necessarily or solely refer to externals, but to using all that God has given us to His glory. Sticking with a bad idea still makes it a bad idea and a faithful servant would seek direction to improve towards a more effective idea (OR better execution...) Not for external gain, but for kingdom gain. To me, this defines a faithful and wise worker.