Your success has hinged on a great understanding of how you make money, what you believe in, and how you clearly differentiate yourself in the marketplace. Congratulations. But there are several things that you know you should be doing but are not. These are not predicated on having to buy a new piece of equipment or software but is most often tied to making a difficult decision or a course correction. The challenge for business leaders is how to move from “yes, we know,” to “yes, we’re doing it.”
Easier Said Than Done
Changing direction or letting go of a well-established habit is difficult. Having that difficult conversation with an individual is difficult as well. These are not to be considered knee-jerk reactions. They should be well thought out as they affect employees, customers, and the direction of the business.
The Alternative
Not forging ahead with these decisions, creates a situation where the agenda items for the senior team meeting never change. The discussions always revolve around the same things, the same people, or the same situation. A phrase that I’ve picked up from my friend and colleague Joe Truncale, is to ask yourself whether it is a problem to be solved or situation to be lived with. If it is, indeed, a problem to be solved, once you’ve determined the best course of action and you know how to solve it, then solve it and move on. If it is a situation to be lived with, do so, and remove it from your agenda. What is frustrating, is when that straightforward question is not answered, and those same topics are discussed week after week with no resolution in sight.
Change Your Habits
You may want to start with smaller, simpler tasks as you go down this path. You can make your way to the more complex situations. Much of this is about changing behavior, changing the way you deal with situations that come across your desk. Much of this is having a clear picture of where your destination is, mapping out the opportunities, as well as the obstacles, and deciding that you’re going to work to get from where you are to where you want to be in a proactive manner.
I welcome any thoughts or questions, please add them below or reach out to me directly.
Mike Philie can help validate what’s working and what may need to change in your business. Changing the trajectory of a business is difficult to do while simultaneously operating the core competencies. Mike provides strategy and insight to owners and CEOs in the Graphic Communications Industry by providing direct and realistic counsel, not being afraid to voice the unpopular opinion and helping leaders navigate change through a common sense and practical approach. Learn more at www.philiegroup.com, LinkedIn or email at mphilie@philiegroup.com.
Originally published in Printing Impressions.
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