Optimal Conditions
Through the years I have been in business, I have had the opportunity to study with a lot of wonderful teachers. One of them, Dr. Olaf Isaacson, author of The Entrepreneurial Elite, once commented, regarding how things are at any time, "All conditions are present for things to be the way they are and no conditions are present for them to be any different."
Whoa! For me that was one of those 'keeper' 'aha' phrases I promptly copied on to a sticky note and stuck up on the mirror. It's an interesting, non-judgmental way to view a situation. For instance when I look in the mirror and see more pounds than I want to, I think "conditions." So what conditions are present? The "too many calories" or the "too long sitting in chair" condition, or maybe it's the "didn't drink enough water" condition. Change the conditions, change the outcome.
Of course we are all waiting for "market conditions" to change, but while we are waiting why not take a look at other conditions in the organization that, if changed, would create a more successful and perhaps more bountiful outcome.
What conditions are in place in your organization that keep things exactly the way they are? What conditions are holding you back from changing to meet the needs of the future? Do your processes, values, relationships, or belief systems hold you back?
Does your culture, your training, your customer base (yes even that.) employee selection process, your assumptions, your accountant or your computer system keep you from opening your eyes to a new reality? Do the very things you pride yourself on put blinders on you?
What conditions might have to change so that you can create a workplace where people are inspired to come to work each day? How can you refine and intensify your vision to challenge and excite your people?" What conditions have to change so your customers will enjoy themselves more, come back and spend more money, bring their friends?
What's in the way of getting to where you want to be? What conditions exist? What conditions need to be different?
For many years I was an avid gardener. I would walk outside my house in the morning and look at the flowers, the vegetables and the trees. When they were not looking as good as I would like them to, I would ask myself "What conditions need to be different?"
Do I need more water, less water? Are the weeds taking over? Does the soil need to be turned? Is there a pest that needs to go? (Slugs were the bane of my existence at the time.) Am I fertilizing enough? Are the plants crowded, should I move something?
Your department is your garden. What conditions need to be different for you to see a different result - a different and maybe better outcome? Create the thriving environment where you rush to come to work in the morning!
