“don’t forget your …” (planning)

(part of the Total Quality Leadership (TQL) series)

How an organization achieves world class quality excellence depends on its leaders within the organization, at all levels of the organization.  Whether your organization has just started its quality journey with ISO certification or are ready to apply for the world renowned Deming award, the critical success factor to world class quality excellence…it’s all in the leadership!

Leadership skills that make an environment successful are the same skills that we learned when we were little and playing in the sandbox.  The sandbox skill today, planning.

If a child has plans to play in the sandbox to build a castle, it is important to plan to bring a shovel and pail.  It is also important to plan to wear a hat and sun screen so the child doesn't get burned.  The latter is an adult's responsibility; the former is a responsibility we teach kids. 

To help them remember, we may write down “shovel and pail” on the blackboard (or paper or easel) in their bedroom.  Together, you may add other toys or things to the list.  Writing it down helps to remember and not forget.  When it is time to get ready, the child only has to look at the blackboard (or paper or easel) and erase it or draw a line through it when the item has been packed to go.  We eliminate the “regrets” and the “forgot” and the tears.  The castle gets built and you can relax and enjoy.

At my age, "senior moments" come often so writing things down is mandatory.  Reminders (post it notes are the best discovery) and checklists are important basic planning tools to help us remember and not forget. The process of planning is a three step process:

1.  What do I have to do?  (write it down)   

2.  What are the steps to get it done?  (be explicit)

3.  By when?

        What is the deadline?

        When did I promise?

I know, as you do, people who spend their lives telling you, “I don’t have time to write it down”.  Yet they always seem to have time to spend an hour “looking for” or “driving back” because they failed to remember.  Forgetting costs money in business and in your personal time.  An additional benefit of crossing a line through a completed action is it induces you to want to do more.  Planning (writing it down) saves time you can spend on other things, like doing absolutely nothing.