Is Your Success Relying on People or on Systems?

We all have that one person on the team...The one who knows how everything works. They know where to find the information, what steps to take, and who to call when there is a problem. They are incredibly valuable. But this can be a sign that you need a system in place.

As leaders, we spend a lot of time thinking about people. Are we hiring the right people? Are they performing the way we need them to? But sometimes what appears to be a people problem is actually a systems problem.

Think about your own team. Do any of these sound familiar?

• The same question gets asked on repeat

• Things fall apart when someone goes on vacation

• Different people complete the same task but in different ways

• Having to remind people what to do over and over

If so, your first instinct might be to focus on the employee. But before you label it as a performance issue, ask yourself:

"Have we created a system that makes it possible for people to be successful?

A good system doesn't mean creating a 50-page manual that will sit on a shelf and collect dust. It might be a checklist, step-by-step guide, or a template. These can be helpful tools and they become especially important as the organization grows.

Leadership Action:

This week, identify one process that creates unnecessary confusion, frustration, or rework for your team.

Ask:

• Does everyone know what "good" looks like?

• Is the process documented and easy to follow?

• Could someone else step in and successfully complete it?

Then, make one improvement to simplify or clarify the process. Don't try and fix everything at once. Start with one system that will make it easier for your team to do great work.