Yesterday at mid-day, I drove to meet my wife for lunch at our favorite soup joint. On the way, I listened to NPR, which was broadcasting a program on "the need for a Stimulus Package." I capitalize it because journalists, politicians, and everymen have taken to invoking the term as a sacred incantation -- capable of bringing rain, er economic growth. I listened to about 15 minutes of the guest expert interview and about 5 minutes of the call-ins, and it was apparent that neither the expert nor the host nor any caller had a coherent view of what could or should be stimulated. They just know we need one.
I could not stop thinking about what John Locke said about the use of words:
Honest people can disagree on the best course of action for achieving an objective. They can even disagree about which is the proper objective. But, first each person must come to the discussion with a clear, concise, and coherent expression of the objectives, the actions, and the causal connections they want to discuss.
This is not just a political problem; executives are as guilty as any group. (When IBM is parodying Manager-speak in its ads, you know we have a problem.) Synergy. Empowerment. Architecture. Realignment. Disintermediation. The list goes on and on. Think of all the bad, bad mission statements you've seen. Now go ask the average employee in your organization to state the organization's objectives, priorities, and operating philosophies. I'll bet you hear a lot of "signs of he knows not what." And that's a problem. Your problem.
At our little firm, we certainly have not solved this problem fully. But, I can heartily recommend two things that have helped:
- Banish certain words. Yep, censorship. If no one can express in small words a clear and coherent definition of that word on which everyone can agree, don't let anyone use that word. When a certain collection of letters has lost specific meaning, it's no longer really a word at all. Throw it out, and you will find everyone communicating more clearly.
- Force yourself through the 1-Page Strategic Planning process. (1PSP Template) You will not be able to hide behind 300 pages of strategic blather anymore. But, you will be able to create a simple, coherent plan that makes sure you and your team are on the same page.
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