Don't Just Fix, Innovate
When it comes to dealing with problems, or to be politically correct, challenges and we've all heard the tired old motivational clich like: Turn your lemons into lemonade or You can't unscramble eggs but you can make a terrific omelet. Somehow those clich don't seem to get the job done when it comes to finding real solutions to what are often real problems.
The reality is that standard problem-solving often stifles innovative thinking and/or creative decision making. As business owners or managers and we're expected to fix a problem quickly so we can get back to business as usual.
And we usually do.
Here's the problem with problem solving. When we just focus ON fixing the problem so we can get back to business, we overlook the opportunity to innovate - and possibly come up with a solution that could take our broken process to another level of improved productivity.
I would argue that it might not be all that beneficial to restore the status quo. The clients I work with in my consulting practice are often struggling with standard operating procedures that are absolutely not moving the organization forward. Standard operating procedures do what they're supposed to do - maintain a standard - even if that standard is no longer a viable way to do business.
Let me offer a suggestion. The next time a problem raises it's ugly head, which will probably happen in the not too distant future, instead of just trying to fix the problem and restore the status quo and look for innovative ways to resolve the issue and improve the standard that currently exists.
In fact - listen up, business owners or managers- why not START establishing the expectation that innovative and creative problem - solving is what will be recognized and rewarded and instead of putting the emphasis ON putting out the fire and getting back to work. In today's marketplace and just fixing problems without finding ways to raise the bar in terms of standards - will all but guarantee mediocrity.
Raise the bar. Innovate and instead of just fixing the problem.
Les Taylor is a professional speaker, author, consultant and recognized expert in the field of personal improvement and professional development. Get several free performance improvement resources at http://www.achievement-solutions.com also, read interesting and entertaining performance improvement articles at Les Taylor's blog at http://www.gettingmorewithles.wordpress.com
