Edition 75 - Opportunity Overload and How to Avoid It
In most companies, there are usually plenty of things ripe for improvement. Whether it be product, processes, or people, opportunities abound. Sometimes this can lead to Opportunity Overload which can easily overwhelm us emotionally and physically.
One phrase that is fairly common in the world of continuous improvement is Change Fatigue or Change Burnout. It's very real and affects more people that you would think. According to the NeuroLeadership Institute,
“Change fatigue [or burnout] is the sense of frustration, apathy, and resistance that can arise among employees subjected to frequent, ongoing changes in organizational structures and processes.”
Change Fatigue or Change Burnout happens when opportunity for change is not managed well, with everything becoming a high priority or urgent need. That simply should not be the case and can be prevented.
If you have ever been in a company that always seems to be making changes you can certainly identify with this issue.
Make no mistake, - this is a vision/leadership issue. Lack of direction is a major cause of Opportunity Overload, with every possible product and process fair game to change. But it can be prevented or at least minimized. Having a well-defined strategic plan with supporting tactical goals is the starting point.
领英推荐
Having a strategic plan that depicts the future state can help identify and prioritize change initiatives.
As I've stated in a recent article on managing the impact of change, change is only good when it provides tangible benefits and supports one or more aspects of the strategic plan. Change has to produce measurable results that move the company in the desired direction or it is wasted effort. You can check out that article here -
Not all opportunities are worth the effort of executing. Sometimes processes and systems are sufficient for the work being performed. Knowing what opportunities to pursue and which ones to bypass is the key to successful transition and positive momentum toward the future state.
Steve Platia has been developing and leading high-performing teams, products, and processes in the renewable energy, manufacturing, and oil/gas industries for over 30 years. He can be reached at [email protected] or (918) 269-0472.