The reason is simple. Over time, things build up. They build
up on our desks, in our inboxes, in our practices and processes, and most of
all they build up in our teams. Like plaque—which settles and hardens on the
surface of our teeth and, if left to its own devises can result in a
cavity—individual and organizational build-up is initially benign, but if left
uncleared, eventually has a detrimental impact on the entire ecosystem.
Following are some easy to recognize markers of old build up
and residue that needs clearing:
- Every time you think about or encounter it, you say to yourself, “I should really do something about….”
Yes, you should. Usually the “doing something about” takes
somewhere between 15 to 45 minutes. But the amount of time and energy you spend
thinking about “doing something about it” can take hours or more over the
course of a months. And that time is only ever wasted.
- It is an activity you engage in frequently, and yet every time it is unnecessarily complex or cumbersome. Often you think, “someone should do something about this…”
Flex your leadership muscle. Assign someone on your team to
look into getting it addressed, or pick up the phone and call someone involved
in the process who has the power to correct it and help them understand what
impact it’s inefficiency is having on the rest of the organization. If it is an
internal process or procedure, and it is wasting the team’s time overall, then
get a work group together to assess the situation and make recommendations.
- Often, when the team gets together there is friction, or tension, or even an unspoken resistance to working together. There is no overt conflict, so everyone, including you, pretends that everything is fine...
Tension, distrust, disengagement is one of the most
expensive problems leaders and organizations have. Since there is not an obvious
dollar amount to the dis-ease, it often is avoided or otherwise left alone.
Consider this: Gallup puts the cost of interpersonal tension and lack of team
cohesion at 34¢ on every payroll dollar. And this is only the negative costs of
the problem. What about the missed opportunity costs, all those collaborations
and innovations that did not occur because the team is poorly aligned?
One of the most effective ways to clear out old baggage and
rebuild and align the team, is to bring in a professional facilitator and take
the team through a team alignment, visioning and performance process. The
benefits of such a process are evident in all aspects of the team from improved
relationships to increased productivity.
By taking the time to clear out the old, you will not only
make space for the new but also ensure the health and vitality of the team and
larger organizational system.
