We are just fighting fires - A business Story
Michael paced back and forth in his office, his brow furrowed in deep thought. As the CEO of a rapidly growing software company in Phoenix, Arizona, he was no stranger to challenges, but the current state of his business had him feeling increasingly uneasy.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. "Come in," Michael called out.
His trusted COO, Emily, entered the room, a concerned look on her face. "Michael, do you have a minute? The team is really struggling to keep up with the pace of growth. Morale is starting to suffer, and we keep finding ourselves in reactive mode, unable to get ahead of the curve."
Michael sighed heavily. "I know, I've been feeling the same way. There has to be a better way to run this business, but I'm not sure what that looks like."
Emily nodded in agreement. "I was actually talking to a colleague the other day, and they mentioned a consultant who specializes in helping companies implement a Systems Thinking approach. Maybe that's something we should look into?"
Michael's eyes lit up. "Systems Thinking, huh? That's an interesting idea. I've heard about that approach, but I don't know much about it. Do you think it could really help us get ahead of the curve?"
"I think it's worth exploring," Emily replied. "From what I've heard, it's all about looking at the business as an interconnected system, rather than a collection of siloed departments. The consultant might be able to help us see the bigger picture and anticipate potential roadblocks."
"Alright, let's do it," Michael said with determination. "I'm willing to try anything at this point. Set up a meeting with this consultant, and let's see if they can help us turn this ship around."
A few days later, Michael and Emily met with Janet, a renowned expert in Systems Thinking. After hearing about the challenges they were facing, Janet proposed a comprehensive plan to work with Michael's team over the next several months.
"The key is to shift your mindset from a reactive, tactical approach to a more proactive, strategic one," Janet explained. "We'll start with a full-day workshop to introduce the team to Systems Thinking principles, then work closely with each department to help them map their systems and identify areas for improvement."
Michael nodded, his mind already racing with the possibilities. "I'm on board. Let's get started right away. I'm ready to see this business soar to new heights."
Over the following weeks, Janet guided Michael's team through the process of adopting a Systems Thinking framework. They learned to anticipate potential roadblocks, simulate scenarios, and make decisions based on the big picture rather than just reacting to immediate issues.
"This is amazing," Emily said during one of their weekly check-ins. "I can already see a difference in how the team is thinking and collaborating. It's like the blinders have been lifted, and we can finally see the patterns and connections that were hidden before."
Michael beamed with pride. "I have to admit, I was skeptical at first, but this Systems Thinking approach is a game-changer. Our people are more proactive, confident, and aligned than ever before. It's like the Phoenix has risen from the ashes, and we're soaring to new heights."
As the months passed, Michael could see the positive impact of the Systems Thinking transformation rippling through every aspect of the business. Morale was high, the company was running more smoothly, and they were better positioned to navigate the challenges of rapid growth.
"Janet, I can't thank you enough for helping us develop this new mindset," Michael said during their final meeting. "It's been an incredible journey, and I know our company is stronger and more resilient because of it."
Janet smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "That's the power of Systems Thinking. It allows you to see the patterns, anticipate the challenges, and rise above them. I'm honored to have been a part of your journey."
As Michael walked back to his office, he felt a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for the future. The Phoenix had indeed risen, and his company was soaring to new heights, all thanks to the transformative power of Systems Thinking.
This story is fiction but rooted in things all executives have experienced.
We can all benefit from an outside perspective from a trusted Coach or Consultant. A person who has been where we are and will challenge us to think in new ways.
The lesson from this story is that as we grow our businesses, we need to move from “just get it done” to having a system in place that can guide the team not only to move from reactive to proactive modes but to do it in a predictable manner. This is what sustained growth can look like.
Is your team at an inflection point, on the edge of a growth curve, dealing with the changes of M&A? Some or all of the above?
I am Will Simpson Executive Consultant, Coach and part time fiction author. If you are an executive dealing with change; let's have a conversation. It all starts with how we think…