I have a plan. Want to hear it? Want to see it?
Many times we are engaged in some grand “thing”, some great play in the world of managing Skippy, Todd and Mary. The idea behind the plan is easy. Either we get it or not – that is easy. The particulars and specifics of the plan is what is complicated and what ultimately challenges us. The how I get it done can be the part we sweat.
I have in many occasions said, “Let’s white board it”. My intention is to take the theory or idea and map out the pieces for consideration. I have to visually write it out so my eyes can meet up with my mind. If I write it down, I can “see” how it lays out however crazy it may be. By the way, a white board suggests both marker and eraser…please make note of that!
For the sake of our chat today and rhetorically speaking when suggesting “white boarding it”, I am saying…plan it. Think it through? I have added the question mark for a purpose. Yes, think it…through? How can one think something through which has not taken place? Ask my wife. A word comes to mind…trust. A trust that the idea and means to achieve it can link together with some type of bridge whereby the passion is as strong as the ability to achieve it. I believe in change, but can I make it…happen? I say yes. I say yes strongly despite those who might say “no.”
So the white board concept is two things. Is it one which allows reflection on your part to evaluate the ability to make “it” happen? Is the other to place a white board moment within the context of the “it” and whether you can get “it” to happen? So one is internal and the other is external?
Let’s say you are a store manager with a team of five. You attended a training session. At this session, you were informed the goal was to implement a regular one-on-one coaching session twice a month. This session was to be a performance oriented moment with each individual team member using a coaching tool. You buy-in to the concept, however this is not something you have ever done, planned or considered given you current schedule. What does you white board say? Would there be circles, lines and question marks? Yep. What would happen next? Would you bring out the calendar? Would you map out your “to do” lists and see how this factors into your day or week? That is what the white board concept suggests. It is an idea where you take a need for the business or team and place it into a visual context. In other words, I have this on Tuesday. I can see it and wonder how does this need factors?
I am re-working my website. I am re-working my business. I am having an issue because I cannot see how this matters. I understand how this matters. I am capable to see how this will impact how people see me. I just cannot see “it” and how “it” aligns with “me.” I need to white board it.
What is your next project, your next goal or your next objective? Is it clear? Great. How does it visually fit into your world, your reality? Have you considered how it works in your life and in the lives of your team? Have you thought about the fact there is that other thing in Q3? What if something else takes precedence? Will it be more visual? Think about that. Does a visual goal trump a conceptual goal? I can think about thousands of things every day. I see fewer. If I see something, does that take precedence?
I believe we have made white boards matter of fact and just another tool. Tomorrow has another goal. To what extent have I made it known? Does it go under or above the joke or quote of the day?
I have a plan. What to see it?
Cheers