Do you allow problems at work to grow because you and your team are very busy? These are things that can be addressed quickly but are often forgotten because other activities are perceived as having a higher value.
The catch is that these little, forgotten problems can grow over time and have a major impact on everyone. Consider this story of an Human Resources department:
There once was an HR department where everyone often needed to cover their desks with rolls of plastic. They also had more waste paper baskets than you would think they would ever need.
They had these tools because whenever it rained outside, it rained inside. And it rained almost every day.
The water came through a large hole in roof of the office. When it would rain, everyone would grab the plastic and cover their desks and computers. They would also strategically position the trash cans under dripping water. Over time, this became something that was done without thought.
How did this happen? It all began with a small hole in the roof that seemed easier to ignore than fix. After all, there was always some other pressing matter that needed their attention.
Over time, the hole grew and the falling water outgrew the bucket. People were now having to wipe down the plastic with sponges several times during a storm.
Finally, the department head left a voicemail about the problem with the building supervisor. Unfortunately, that person had just left on a two week vacation. Meanwhile, the leak continued to grow.
When the building supervisor was able to survey the damage, he realized that much the roof would need to be replaced. To get the money, he?d have to have the work approved by the CEO and his leadership team.
That group, while discussing the damage, became sidetracked in a debate about the color of shingles that should be used in the repairs. There is no consensus on a color and the entire issue is tabled.
The whole time, the hole in the roof continues to grow and no one has thought to put a tarp over it. Why would they as there is not line item in the operating budget for tarps?
Meanwhile, some start to use umbrellas or raincoats at their desks. The room is also starting to smell moldy.
This story, may hold some truth for some of you about problems at work. Different parts of an organization perceive problems in different ways. Here are some of the challenges that prevent solutions from happening:
Don?t Let Problems Stick Around
It can be easy to accept and ignore problems. Had the employees immediately spoken up about the hole in the roof, it could have been addressed faster.
The decision to ignore or accept something that was clearly wrong, came with consequences. Make sure your team is empowered to speak up when they see a problem
Is Urgency Shared?
While busy, leaders need to make sure that they are listening to feedback from employees. Employees need to make sure that they are not just dumping problems on their supervisors. Bringing a potential solution can help a leader make a faster and more effective decision.
Personal Responsibility Solves Problems
How would the hole have been addressed if the building manager had considered the possibility that a crisis could happen while he was on vacation? Leaving a voicemail about your absence is not a solution to a problem.
Leaving information on the message about who to call in your absence, empowers the caller.
Should the supervisor have considered the lackluster voicemail an acceptable response to a problem? And should the HR team have followed up more when it was apparent that the growing hole in the roof was not being addressed?
A Temporary Solution Beats None
A tarp, while not an elegant solution, can be an effective one when dealing with a roof. It gives you time to work out a permanent fix. That?s when cosmetic issues can be discussed. It can be very easy to get lost discussing things like shingle colors to the point that hole in the roof is forgotten. It?s a lot cheaper to buy a tarp than a large section of roof.
In many cases the problem is not really the problem. Instead it is the lack of actionable solutions.
