Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
9.6 A Few Simple, but Critical Steps
What was it after so many years that helped bring these weaknesses to my
attention and helped me take the specific actions required for real improve-
ment?
The first thing I did, which was different from what I had done when I
played golf as a teenager, and from what I had been doing for the last ten
years since my son got me back playing, was to
write down
each night what
was happening on the golf course and how I felt about my game. I had
lim-
ited time
and I needed to focus my time on the areas that could provide the
greatest value
. The second thing I did was step back and analyze carefully the
objective data
I had gathered. The third thing I did was to take a number of
very
specific actions
addressing my now known
specific weaknesses
in a timely
fashion. Summarizing those simple, but critical steps:
• Gather objective and specific data
• Analyze the data carefully
• Put plan into action focused on address repeating specific weaknesses in
a timely fashion
Note the similarity to the LACM case study discussed in Chapter 3. This
might not sound different from what you think you are doing, but the prob-
lem in many organizations is that they often never get to the most valuable
specific weaknesses
with
real fixes
. What is most astonishing about this is that
this happens even though most people or organizations know exactly what
their weaknesses are. Let me illustrate this further.
I will also explain more about my specific swing weaknesses and the actions
I took to address them. Let me first say a little more about how I arrived at
these actions, and just what I did that turned out to be critical to the success
of my golf improvement project.
LESSON 2
By taking notes, stepping back and analyzing the data objectively, I was
able to identify and determine the proper specific and timely actions
required to remedy my weaknesses.
