Backyard – Process – Hand off
I had a dream of too many holes and an ever increasing number of round/square pegs. Next day a friend of mine, Rob Geyer, gave me three words that helped me begin to live and be on a higher level. The context of my life was unchanged; a season of multiple projects, short deadlines and complex organizational structures – these three words are game changers.
Backyard refers to what exactly I am responsible for. Returning to a singular focus of my Circle of Influence with a clear “yes” gives me time and energy to focus on things I am both responsible for and accountable to. I had been spending time in my larger Circle of Concern; in essence, working in my neighbors backyard.
Key questions: “How big is my backyard – what is it’s condition?”
Process refers to the manner in which I repair the fence, clean out and steward my backyard. Process deals with systems as contrasted with “tasks” that have to do with specifics. All too often in a chop wood/carry water season I drop into task only. Process means I now give sustained focus to process development/deep delegation as well as tasks no one else in the organization is called on to do.
Key questions: “What are my processes – what is my process to task ratio??
Handoff is the idea of team, collaboration and exponential wins. For the team to win I need to be comprehensive and complete in stewarding the processes and tasks as I hand them off to others to complete the next leg of the relay.
Key questions: “Who are my relay partners – how can I increase the number of partners?”