“Just do it” sounds easy. It’s not. Following through with the actions driven by an assessment is the bulk of the work. Knowing what to do is often common sense and the analysis merely validates. It’s the next steps that count. Begin with commitment. Follow with triage. Track your progress. Recognize both accomplishment and obstacles. Recalibrate to adapt to new circumstances.
Commitment: We rise or fall as a team. My action or inaction directly impacts others. State your intent and guarantee achievement.
Triage: The challenge is almost always greater than the resources. Break the task into a sequence of priorities. First things first, second things second. The bottom of the triage list will eventually rise to the top as new items constantly repopulate the bottom (or sneak their way to the top).
Tracking: Milestones and timelines are only the beginning. Regular accountability meetings either acknowledge movement or ignite a problem-solving effort to address obstacles. Choose a tracking method and create common, transparent access for all teammates.
Recognition: Taking stock in accomplishment fuels the system. When the team experiences tangible movement, motivation grows. Acknowledging barriers also energizes as teammates partner to solve puzzles.
Recalibration: Pushing growth creates change. Strategic plans have short shelf lives. Teams committed to continuous improvement accept the reality that they’re in constant flux. Regular reassessment shifts the priorities to accommodate today’s circumstances.
The beauty of cyclical growth is the continuous chance to improve. Whether repairing something broken or visioning the next moonshot, teams repeat an ever-changing exercise in evolution. Those who get stuck rarely don’t know what to do. They just choose not to do it.
