It’s About the Details

In a conversation this week with a leader, it came down to the importance of the small details. 

I know that I am good at the big picture; seeing the pieces of the organization that need to be moved, changed, or eliminated to welcome innovation and set aside the status quo. However, in any time of change, it also comes down to the small details that make or break the opportunity.  There are people on every team who are good at the details and harnessing their skills to the planned objective is the way forward to capture the success that change provides. 

Leaders can easily become enamored with the idea of the goal and forget that 1/3 of the team loves change, 1/3 needs more information about the change to get on board, and 1/3 deplore any change no matter the details or the explanation.  Great leaders understand that in every situation, that 1/3 shifts around in the workforce and those who were on board last time have changed their mind with the newest strategic plan or organizational objective.   

This is when the small details again come into play knowing that to win the day, leadership needs to focus on individuals, teams, and then departments so that incremental wins are achieved for the organization.  If you don’t have team support, you are either lacking in communication or missing the mark in establishing trust.  Either way, you are failing and the organization is suffering as a result.   

My advice this week was to adopt a plan, explain it in person and follow up in writing.  Take the time to identify people on the team who will be helping drive the change and then give the team an update about the plan, people involved, and progress being made.  Leadership isn’t about you; it’s about maximizing the individuals and teamwork happening in your organization that moves the details and trust forward to the change you want to achieve.