I really messed up.

A few years ago we started a large project. We committed a budget to it and the work started. Along the way the project went all sorts of sideways. The product is yet to go into production and it cost us a lot of money. It continues to be a difficult situation and distraction to our business.

Here is where I messed up. I took my eyes off the big picture and I didn't follow the project plan in light of our overall business. I also let other "critical situations" distract me. We had a number of major events occur in succession; events that we didn’t cause and couldn’t control. This isn't uncommon in business. Unfortunately I did what a lot of executives and managers do. I focused all of my effort on the "fire" at the moment and neglected the big picture. I made assumptions about projects and cash flow based on estimation, not hard data. I didn’t listen to my team as well as I should. I even buried my head in the sand a bit. I’m sure it was easier to do that at the time. Distraction is always easier than facing the real problems head on. I finally pulled my head out of the sand and decided to modify my focus. I found that several areas of the business were and are in critical need of adjustment.  The entire business and its growth suffered because of this poorly focused sort of decision-making.

I'm not saying to ignore the fires that pop up. What I am saying is to fight them hard but don't take your eyes or mind off of the big picture. If every decision is how to "fix" the current problem without a full examination of how it came to be and how fixing it affects the entire business, you're wasting your time. Do the hard thing and analyze every issue or opportunity with the whole business at the forefront. And, don’t forget those people on your team who bring a depth of clarity to your business that is critical for sound decision-making in difficult times. 

How do you fight the current fires while still keeping your eyes on the big picture? I’d really like to hear. Click “Comments” below to post yours.

Darrell Tadley

 

Comments

[Aizah Delez]

I should really look at the big picture eh... Thanks Darrell! This is eye opening.

Aizah