This week’s focus: The problem with problem-solving is that, even when you’ve sorted out the issue, you only ever return performance to its previous level. Worse, many problem-solving initiatives can quickly turn into a blame-game exercise, where your energies end up being focused on organisational politics, rather than finding a solution.

Where you must sort out the inevitable problems that happen in any business, you should look to focus your efforts on sorting out the issue at hand, not starting a witch-hunt. Even better, though, is to spend your time and talent on raising the bar and step-changing performance and results way beyond your current standards.

Off the record: Don’t Look Back In Anger by Oasis

My soul slides away, But don’t look back in anger

No, don’t look back in anger

I heard you say

© Stuart Cross 2011. All rights reserved.