Continuous Improvement

As the ‘Boomer’ generation transitions to some form of retirement, the younger age groups would be wise to take note. Decisions are being made about when to turn the ‘old’ corner. It’s not just age that dictates when to hop off the proverbial treadmill and go fishing. Often, it’s the choice to either stop or continue growing.

Imagine we could reverse the flow of time. Not through a science fiction portal where every action alters the future – but simply the advantage of learning from mistakes. It’s a common refrain when life doesn’t turn out the way you expect: “If I had only known then what I know now, I would have made different choices.” The truth is you only get to know what you knew then. Based on what you knew then, you would have made exactly the same decisions.

Think about the people in your life who seem to have it all together. Do they have the golden secret to life’s mastery, or is there more going on under the surface? Most of us work hard to keep our deepest struggles from showing. Everyone has something heavy going on, whether or not it’s visible. A common metaphor is the duck gliding across the water with webbed feet below the surface, paddling like mad yet invisible to observers. Another symbol is the oppressive weight of the backpack the kid carries through school, while teachers and classmates remain unaware of the home life trauma bearing down on him. Whatever the hidden narrative, there are three key ingredients to the recipe for staying well amidst the struggle.

There was a bad decision. It didn’t work out. People are talking. Your reputation has been stained. Now what? Own it? Full disclosure? “Umm…this happened. We’re sorry for the consequences. We wish we could take it back but, unfortunately, the damage is done. Here’s what we’re going to do next.”

We are all some blend of our ancestors’ genetics and the environmental experience we’ve traveled. My mom was a creative and my dad was an engineer. She told captivating stories while he studied the ingredients on a catsup bottle. I got a little of both. But my environment shaped the outcome.

For those who question whether strong workplace culture produces a return-on-investment, consider some common-sense metrics. Utilization of sick days decreases. The cost of healthcare shrinks. Reduced employee turnover saves on recruitment expenses. This objective data can be measured and tracked. Subjective data like morale and engagement are more difficult to quantify. But they are real.

Harvard University research (The Mindful Body, Langer 2023) teaches us that there are three levels of thinking. Level 1 is characterized by ignorance. Viewpoints and decisions sit upon a platform of nothing. Level 2 is characterized by judgement. We rush to conclusions that best corroborate our bias. These folks are frequently wrong and rarely in doubt. Level 3 is characterized by curiosity. This requires the ability to consider other perspectives. It comes with the question, “What would need to be true to make this make sense?”

The growth mindset approach doesn’t work very well with people who have decided to stop growing. It’s the classic H.R. interview when the candidate claims ten years of experience only to discover they’ve accrued one year ten times. It happens with individuals, couples, teams, and organizations – they sacrifice development in lieu of whatever the benefits of staying the same are. Sadly, it equates to the choice to die early.

Who would you put up to bat in the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded and down by a run? Would you deploy the player who is eager for the chance or the teammate who fears pressure? Expectations influence outcomes. If you think your project is likely to fail, the chances of failure increase. Likewise, if you expect success, your odds go up. Why is this true?

When was the last time a day turned out the way you expected? Never, right? There’s always a twist – sometimes in the form of adversity and, occasionally, a pleasant surprise. Whether your day has headed north or south, it’s all about adaptability. What happens next has many options.

Confession: I’ve learned to skim and absorb most of my reading material quickly. I’m willing to trade depth for speed. I can synthesize an academic journal article in fifteen minutes. Anything less rigorous takes me about two. Many social media platforms predict how long it will take to read their posts, with an eye toward expedience. No need to dive in if you don’t have 4.5 minutes to spare. This blog promises “60 seconds on the Team Clock.” I endeavor to put readers out of their misery in less than a minute. It’s a dupe. My blogs are usually two-minute reads.

You probably shouldn’t ask the question unless you are willing to hear the answer. More importantly, you may not want to invite the conversation unless you plan to do something with the information. Feedback is a double-edged sword. The choice to strengthen a weakness almost always makes sense until you acknowledge how much work is required. When that realization sets in, many teams opt to perpetuate ‘normal’ rather than taking on the labor of growth.