“The default behavior of most organizational leaders,” writes Tod Bolsinger, “is to solve problems for our organizations rather than change our organizations for meeting the needs of the world.”
As we head into more strategic planning meetings related to 2023 - 2025, it is time to ask ourselves if we are solving the problems our customers and clients are having or just solving the organization’s problems. I believe we need to do both.
Some days the organization can not adequately meet the changing needs of the customer due to problems within its systems or structures. Other days, the problem is that we do not have people with the right competencies to handle the changing needs of the customer. Still, we often solve the organization’s problems and then ask the customers to meet our needs rather than having the courage to realize that meeting the changing needs of the customer is primary.
I remember a dinner meeting with Dave Merrill, former CEO of Region V Services in Lincoln, Nebraska. During our time together, he shared that “change is inevitable; what we are trying to do is create purposeful change.” And the purpose of the best organizations is to meet the needs of the world and to make that world a better place. The best leaders get this. They are constantly choosing to empower their people to be bold and nimble in their response to the changes that are taking place.
This week, reflect on your default choices. Then, go out and make your organization a better place to work, plus make the world a better place to live and work. We need your best at this time of so many challenges.
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