There’s a fine line between success and failure.
Usually a series of small mistakes.
If success comes from many small improvements, so too failure comes from many small mistakes.
Reverse Kaizen is a thing…
We all make mistakes. So preventing mistakes isn’t the answer to preventing a larger failure.
Avoiding the vicious circle is.
A leader has to make hundreds of decisions and actions every day.
What are some which feed later decisions and so turn into a vicious circle?
One is the closed thinking loop.
The leader has decided what the answer to a problem is.
She’s not looking for an answer now, just how to apply her solution.
Sometimes in a hurry.
Sometimes out of fear of being seen as indecisive.
Maybe just carelessness or arrogance.
If she’s lucky and her answer worked, no problem.
Move on. Count your luck, or take credit for being smart.
On the other hand if it didn’t, there’s a dilemma.
Is someone who wouldn’t take input at the beginning going to admit they were wrong at the end?
Or even in the middle?
Maybe. But likely not.
Hence a cycle starts.
The problem wasn’t that the solution was wrong, it was the assumption that it was the only solution.
A closed mind isn’t closed to new ideas, it’s closed to the possibility that the adopted idea could be wrong.
The cycle continues when the same attitude is taken to the next action, without considering failure as a possibility.
Therefore without checking carefully at every step.
Assuming that everything will be ok because the decision was the right one.
Running blind.
Eventually there are many failures, none of which are the leader’s fault.. because the leader doesn’t make mistakes…
Confidence is important to gain support, but it has to be balanced with skepticism to give clear vision.
“ the problem wasn’t that the solution was wrong, it was the assumption that it was the only solution…”
Do you consider options before you make an important decision?
Do you “commit” to those decisions?
When you do, can you cope with internal doubts while you’re externally strong?
Are you open to negative feedback, even as committed action is in progress?
Or do you see criticism as a threat?
Do you actively seek opposing views to help keep your view clear?
Is regular checking part of your schedule?
Leaders are paid to worry. If you’re not worried about some decisions there’s something wrong.
Is your mind closed?
“I might be wrong, but at least I’ve thought about it…”