There are many ways to do fine work. One approach involves decision making and then actually doing what is required to deliver the desired results.
This is an approach that can be followed by individuals, teams and organisations. It often involves focusing on the following themes and being serious about delivering the goods.
Decision Making
Great workers often start by following their chosen approach to making decisions. Bearing in mind what they can control in the situation, this may involve them taking the following steps.
They clarify the real results to achieve in the situation – the short, medium and long-term results – and translate these into a clear picture of success.
They clarify the possible ways forwards – together with the pluses and minuses of each option – and settle on the strategy they can follow to give themselves the greatest chance of achieving the picture of success.
They clarify how they can follow their chosen action plan – including rehearsing following the strategies and managing any challenges along the way – to achieve the picture of success.
Imagine that a person, team or organisation has worked through these stages. They may then move on to the next stage on the journey to delivering the goods.
Doing What Is Required
Great workers are actually serious about doing their best to deliver the goods. They are different from people who may say they want to achieve certain goals but are not prepared to do what is required.
Imagine that a person, team or organisation is serious. Bearing in mind the results to achieve, they may focus on the following themes.
Doing what is required to
follow the chosen strategy
Great workers actually do what they say they are going to do. Applying themselves fully to the work, they often take the following steps.
They follow their chosen strategy and get some early wins.
They deliver consistently high standards and perform superb work.
They keep doing what is required to achieve the picture of success.
Such workers focus on the desired end state. They also keep their wits about them, however, which often involves taking the next step.
Doing what is required to
read reality and keep improving
Great workers are good at reading reality. They use their antennae to stay aware and recognise what is actually happening. They are also be prepared to be agile.
Whilst following their chosen strategies, they keep scanning the situation and take the following steps.
They clarify the specific things that are working.
They clarify the specific things that can be improved.
They clarify the specific things they can do to build on what is working and tackle the areas for improvement.
Such workers then take the necessary actions. Sometimes this can involve simply following the philosophy of Kaizen and focusing on continuous improvement.
Sometimes they may face challenges – such as changes in the world – that call for more radical shifts. Whatever the situation, however, they do what is required to focus on the next step.
Delivering The Results
Great workers are good finishers. They do their best to do what is required to deliver the goods. Different people, teams and organisations do this in different ways. Some take the following approach.
They clarify their successful pattern for finishing by recalling specific situations when they finished things successfully.
They clarify the principles they followed then – and how they translated these into action – to finish successfully.
They clarify how they can follow similar principles – plus maybe express these in modern ways – to finish the present piece of work successfully.
Such workers then apply themselves fully. Sometimes they go into their equivalent of the zone and aim to flow, focus and finish. Sometimes they also add that touch of class to deliver the goods successfully.
There are many ways to do fine work. One approach involves decision making and then actually doing what is required to deliver the desired results.
Let’s return to your own life and work. Can you think of a situation where you may want to follow elements of this approach? How can you do this in your own way? What may happen as a result of taking these steps?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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