Asking Yourself the Tough Questions!

07/29/02

Andy Grove didn't want to wait for a crisis at Intel to make needed changes. He used to ask tough questions and engage in spirited discussions with his fellow executive, Gordon Moore. One of the toughest questions is one that we all might want to ask in these challenging times: "If we got kicked out and the board brought in a new CEO, what do you think he would do?"

OK, you may not be a CEO, but if they brought in someone new to turn your team around, what would they do? It's hard to ask the tough questions when past successes have made you complacent. Numerous studies indicate that people are less likely to make optimal decisions after prolonged periods of success. They start to move into cruise control, dropping the edge off of excellence. Many previously successful leaders incrementally slip into poor judgment. Some even allow violation of accepted business standards to "become" the standard. They are primed for a fall. What causes it--add a need to "look like a winner" at all cost, mind-numbing complexity, unrealistic performance and growth goals, a rapidly deteriorating economy, denial, lax oversight, and a glaring failure to execute.

Don't wait to be replaced to allow others to make the changes you know need to be made. What tough questions do you and your team need to look at now? Ask them this week to take the trap out of excellence.

MONDAY'S MIRTHFUL MOMENT

Debbie Nelson supplies this week's mirth--The Ten Best Things to Say If You Get Caught Sleeping at Your Desk! Enjoy...and use only at your own risk!

10. "They told me at the blood bank this might happen."

9. "This is just a 15 minute power-nap like they raved about in that time management course you sent me to."

8. "Whew! Guess I left the top off the White-Out. You probably got here just in time!"

7. "I wasn't sleeping! I was meditating on the mission statement and envisioning a new paradigm."

6. "I was testing my keyboard for drool resistance."

5. "I was doing a highly specific Yoga exercise to relieve work-related stress. Are you discriminatory toward people who practice Yoga?"

4. "Why did you interrupt me? I had almost figured out a solution to our biggest problem."

3. "The coffee machine is broken..."

2. "Someone must've put decaf in the wrong pot..."

And the #1 best thing to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk...
1. " ... in Jesus' name. Amen."

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When you keep your eyes open for mirth, you just may find it! Hope this kicks off your morning and helps get your mood adjusted for the week. Now, get busy MAKING CHANGE WORK and have some fun along the way!...