To be clear, this process is intense, grueling, and often emotional. It's hard work, and often not fun. When a team finally emerges from this process confident that it's settled on the right structure and has identified and begun prioritizing and resolving all of it's people issues, those in the room often breathe an audible sigh of relief. "We're finally done," some of them think. "If only that were true," I think back, trying to reach all of them telepathically.
Truth is, you're never done strengthening the People Component because, well...stuff happens. People change, the market changes, processes change, systems change, everything changes. This work is never, ever done.
Before that thought depresses you - know there's hope. Using a simple discipline, at least quarterly, you and your leadership team can identify and respond to those changes in a way that will ensure you always have (or are working towards having) a People Component that is "100% Strong." Just ask and answer three simple questions at your Quarterly and Annual Sessions:
As simple and repetitive as that may sound, nearly every one of my clients has identified at least one issue every quarter simply by asking those questions, in that order. Sometimes those Issues are new and a little surprising, sometimes they're frustrating reminders of Issues that have lingered and festered for too long. Either way, this simple discipline shines a light on those things holding you back from being "100% Strong" in the People Component.
More detail on each of these three questions in subsequent posts.
