As a leader who’s always expected to show forward progress, it can be frustrating when your company as a whole seems to be stuck in first gear. In her September 25 “Calling the Game” video, Bobbie LaPorte shows how you can use your own agency—and your team’s talents—to produce those “small wins” that add up to real results.
Discover How to Deliver Results When Your Organization is Stuck in First Gear
Hi, this is Bobbie LaPorte, back with another week of “Calling the Game,” where I share my own experience and insights while giving you valuable tools you can use to call your own game…and plan the best moves for you and your team.
In these times of ongoing change and uncertainty, I often hear from clients that it feels like their companies are moving much more slowly, without the sense of urgency they had in the past.
Why is that? There are lots of factors to consider. It could be a reluctance to commit given uncertain market conditions, fear of making costly mistakes, or, for some leaders, self-interest that keeps them “under the radar,” maintaining the status quo.
Any or all of these could be the reality in your organization. But… at the same time, you are still being held accountable to produce results – no excuses, right?
So, how do you and your team make progress when the larger organization seems to be stuck in first gear?
Here are three things to consider during corporate slowdowns:
- Pick a project or initiative – something concrete that is important to the company but where you have agency to make things happen. It doesn’t have to be major – it just needs to be defined to where you have control over most of the resources to produce results and get a win.
- The problems companies face are too complex for any one person or group to solve, so think about how the talents and skills of your team can serve the emerging needs of the organization. If the project you decide to focus on could also benefit the broader organization, that would be optimal.
- Consider the theory of “small wins.” Research shows that small wins can have enormous power and influence disproportionate to the accomplishments themselves. Once a small win has been accomplished, forces are set in motion that favor another small win and convince people that bigger achievements are within reach.
Focus on something you have agency over. Keep your team moving and celebrate the “small wins” along the way. Do that, and you will make progress and create success for you and your team – despite the sometimes glacial pace of the broader organization.
OK, that’s it for this week’s “Calling the Game.” Hope this helps you gear up for a great week and navigate any curveballs that may come your way!