Clarity Achieved, Success Gained

Many departments within an organization, regardless of size, are often working in a bubble, which is only beneficial when the individuals in the departments not only recognize, but also operate, as part of the same soap.

A common frustration that my executive coaching clients have with their organizations is that the right hand isn’t clear on what the left hand is responsible for. Yet many tasks, processes and workflow require both hands to not only work together, but also work with synchronicity or in tandem to deliver a quality service or product on time that generates a profit.

What’s typically missing is a simple solution, yet one that’s not so easily achieved when left up to middle management to carry out. What is it? Clarity! Many leaders of organizations assume that each of their team members, like those on a winning basketball team, know what to do to win on the corporate court. And they’re right. They do know what to do, once the project finds its way into their bubble, yet they are frequently unaware of how their actions impact the organization at large. The benefits of achieving clarity among all departments can be limitless. When clarity is achieved by all who touch the products – and that’s pretty much everyone in your organization because “no man is an island” – retention is increased on many levels, which can be seen in increased employee and customer loyalty. Clarity produces the experience of synergy, confidence and continuity among the members of your organization, which translates into a measurable asset when members come in contact with potential customers.

Clarity is a journey of discovery that requires a skilled professional who understands the wonderful nuances of human behavior. When asking two senior level managers to get together for the purpose of discussing the responsibilities of their respective departments, it’s important to consider that some managers return home to argue with their spouse about whose turn is it to empty the dishwasher. One must also consider the climate when asking people to reveal their process in today’s economy where nationwide cutbacks and layoffs are common occurrences creating a need to ensure one’s job-security. It is possible to have clarity among and within all departments in such a way that it occurs to the members that they achieved it on their own. Company-wide clarity will greatly assist organizations to maintain stability in what’s being reported as an unstable economy.

Retaining a skilled and experienced consultant can take the pressure off the executives to cause behavioral changes, a skill that they may lack. Also, it addresses the fact that “no man or woman is a prophet in their own town [organization]. “I’ve coached several senior-level managers who have been made responsible for fulfilling personal behavior-change mandates while holding a degree in business systems. These types of directives require skills in developing people in such a way that they relinquish old stories that are disempowering and impede lasting change.

Clarity is essential to organizations considering wide-spread change in operations because if departments aren’t working fluidly with each other now, how can you expect them to comprehend the need for change. Clarity, understanding and buy-in are synergistic and with these elements you’ll keep your team taking and creating profound results and lasting internal harmony.