Don't Think of Them as Problems...Only Work
- Date: 2007-10-31 - Word Count: 335
Share This!
I spent several years as the CEO of an organization that was going through tremendous change. We were acquired by a company in a foreign country; then we had a merger, our entire product line shifted, and the economy had a downturn.
Now the funny thing about problems is they float. That's right; problems float!
Problems Float!
The higher you are on the totem pole, the more problems and crises come your way. If you are the CEO, every crisis eventually finds its way to your desk. So every day, people would come into my office and say, "Boss, we have a problem."
Imagine the stress. Imagine the pain of having nothing but problems and crises all day long. After a while, it just got to be too much. I was under tremendous stress and was really beginning to feel the strain.
It all changed with one simple idea.
I sent out a decree that the word "problem" was no longer allowed in my office. Period. End of the discussion.
I was just too tired of hearing that word to have it thrown at me even one more time.
So, all the managers and employees said, "Well, what are we supposed to call it then?"
"Call it work," I replied.
And so they did.
After all, think about it. If sales are down, it means you have some selling, or new product development, or advertising, or marketing work to do. If a customer has a complaint, it means you have some claims processing or quality improvement work to do. If an employee quits, you have recruiting work to do, followed by a review of your compensation system, evaluation system, and training system.
It is all just work.
So in they came.
"We have some sales work to do!"
"I see. Well, get on with it then; that is, after all, why you were hired in the first place!"
I ended up going home every day at 4:30 because every employee and manager began to think in terms of work instead of problems.
And work will solve every problem that we have!
Now the funny thing about problems is they float. That's right; problems float!
Problems Float!
The higher you are on the totem pole, the more problems and crises come your way. If you are the CEO, every crisis eventually finds its way to your desk. So every day, people would come into my office and say, "Boss, we have a problem."
Imagine the stress. Imagine the pain of having nothing but problems and crises all day long. After a while, it just got to be too much. I was under tremendous stress and was really beginning to feel the strain.
It all changed with one simple idea.
I sent out a decree that the word "problem" was no longer allowed in my office. Period. End of the discussion.
I was just too tired of hearing that word to have it thrown at me even one more time.
So, all the managers and employees said, "Well, what are we supposed to call it then?"
"Call it work," I replied.
And so they did.
After all, think about it. If sales are down, it means you have some selling, or new product development, or advertising, or marketing work to do. If a customer has a complaint, it means you have some claims processing or quality improvement work to do. If an employee quits, you have recruiting work to do, followed by a review of your compensation system, evaluation system, and training system.
It is all just work.
So in they came.
"We have some sales work to do!"
"I see. Well, get on with it then; that is, after all, why you were hired in the first place!"
I ended up going home every day at 4:30 because every employee and manager began to think in terms of work instead of problems.
And work will solve every problem that we have!
Related Tags: self improvement, management, ceo, problem solving, stress management, crisis, i, corporate ladder, roice krueger, roicekrueger, itccyl, work problems
Roice Krueger was a co-founder of FranklinCovey, the world's largest training and education company. Amazingly, Roice has consulted for 80% of the Fortune 500 companies. Those companies know that Roice delivers the goods, and they continue to beat a path to his door when they need help! To see what Roice is working on now, visit http://www.IdeasThatCanChangeYourLife.com. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Resurgence of Fred Perry Clothing
Summer might long be over and Wimbledon may be a distant memory, however the fashion is a year round - Uncovering Men's Tank Tops
I don't know a thing about you, but I'll bet that you have worn a tank top. Tank tops have also been - Make Use of Silk Scarves to Take Good Care of Your Skin
In the event you are new about silk scarves, you could never read about this particular feature of s - Just For Men Scarves - the Preference For Guys in the Vogue Domain
If you are not certain what style of present you could provide for men, maybe you can consider men s - Think Black Friday Shopping is Beyond Your Budget?
Moms who are juggling the bills and still trying to provide the perfect holiday gift to loved ones a - How to Make Conscious Shopping Choices
Many people have heard the phrase "voting with your dollars" and they understand that it means your - Silk Scarves - Unique Present Approach in Xmas Seasons
The most prevalent silk add-on is scarves, and many focus is presented on inspired designing on thes - Benefits of an Aloe Vera Shampoo
A lot of people are not aware of the specific benefits that using an aloe vera shampoo can do to the - How Effective is the Power of Your Subconscious Mind?
Most people are bombarded with this thought whenever they feel weak and wish to affect certain chang - Silk Scarf - the Record For Human Being in the Style History
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries the worldwide recognition of silk scarves developed dramatica
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Surf and Turf: the Race Track
Surf and Turf: The Race TrackOne of the favorite places for The G to hang out at, especially in Summ - Are You Looking For Cholesterol Drugs Without Side Effect?
High cholesterol level is probably one of the widely spread complication among Americans. Almost for - Friday the 13th could be a lucky day?
Friday the 13th sounds unlucky ? Traditional superstition ? And a lot of people dislike it and beli - Don't Judge A Man
Our world is full of bad tongues, fault-finders, gossipers, mockers, and insulters but do these grou - When Personalized Gifts Make a Difference
Finding the right gifts for a particular occasion is always a challenging task. Sometimes it is nic - Managing My Resistance: Learning To Flow With What Life Offers
One of the things that interests me most about conflict is the tendency to resist it and the ways in - What Are Horoscopes Based On?
If you do not know much about astrology, you may wonder what are horoscopes based on and how astrolo - 7 Dumbest Relationship Mistakes Smart People Make
We often find ourselves amid the wreckage of a love gone wrong, wringing our hands and asking, "Why - Motivation as the heart of self improvement
You should be able to find several indispensable facts about Motivation in the following paragraphs - Is Complete Abstinence from Use of Paychoactive Substances Necessary for Recovery?
Can a sober alcoholic in recovery who has no history of abuse of marijuana, use marijuana without
