Human systems…

The longer we study human performance systems, the more convinced, at BTL, we’ve become of how similar are the problems and the solutions.  It does NOT matter what the human system is producing and for how long they’ve toiled producing it.  Size does not matter, nor does location or, for that matter, how many locations they may occupy.  The industry does not matter.  The competition doesn’t either.  Public vs. private does not matter.  Sure it’s harder as a public company, but the fact remains that great, public companies exist.  The problems, the solutions, and the opportunity to transform performance is eerily similar regardless the circumstance.

Huh…

Early in the building process, most every client leans over to tell me that their situation is unique.  They are simply doing the best they can with an underperforming, very unique collection of people, circumstances, and problems that they’ve inherited.  Of course, through no fault of their own.

 AND, they like to remind me, that I’m not helping them in the way they had hoped and that I had better get with it rather quickly.

 They’re running out of time, they tell me, as they run out the door to their next, crackberry, scheduled meeting.  The rushed, parting comment goes something like, “I’m waiting for your answers regarding my underperforming brother, my uninterested board, my incompetent sales manager, my declining margins, my nagging wife, and my lack of time to do any of this writing you keep barking about!”  

Here’s the answer that matters.

I ask them to simply answer these questions.

Tell me your deepest held beliefs?

Tell me what, not only gives you energy, but what causes you to lose track of time and all other forms of distraction?

What, when you find yourself immersed in it, feels like something you wish had no end?

What, historically, are your LOVE to’s…you know, those things that you would love to do if you had the time?

Throw them up.  Write them down.  Let them out and keep track of them.  

What are your big dreams for work and life?

Where are you headed, what is your vision?

Are you headed there fueled by LOVE or forced by FEAR?

Tell me more…

AND, tell me why you want to lead a team of like minded humans?

Why do you desire power and control over the work lives of others?

Tell me why you love your work and why you love your team?

Tell me what that means to you?

AND, tell me what “leaving your mark” looks like to you?

Great human systems, great marriages, great friendships, great communities, great companies, and any form of transformational team are led by humans that lead integrated lives.  There is your answer.  Integrate.  Integrate.  Integrate.

At BTL, we suggest that you integrate around your strong CORE.  And, we strongly recommend that you fill your strong CORE with ever increasing doses of LOVE, with a vision worth dying for, a purpose worth living for, and a process that moves you and those you love toward your collective vision.  An integrated life, a CORE centered life if you will, is one that leads to mastery.  NOT mastery of other humans and of controlling circumstances, but one that masters the self, makes progress toward the dream, and inspires those around to come in for a closer peek.  

Fixing other people and trying to control circumstances does not work.  There are always more humans to fix and a steady stream of problems around the bend.  The fix that works is the one that you and I can control.  Integrate around your strong CORE.  How and where should you begin?  Answer the questions above.  Write them out in narratives, not bullet points.  AND, upon reflection, write them again.  That will get you started…

Now, what was it you were saying about your boss?