Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Can you create a "TripTik" to success?

As I continue to observe organizations grow and expand, I constantly think about what path each of these organizations is taking toward their ultimate goal. We will call this goal, success.

Is their one path to success? Of course not. But I would argue that most people when asked why, would discuss how every organization is different with different leadership, market, audience, etc.

I am growing more interested not in the differences between these organizations as a whole, but the path that these organizations take toward success.

Let's look at a scenario:

Two school districts are looking to become more successful. Each district exists in areas of equal socio-economic status. Each has new facilities, a growing staff with a mix of quality veterans and excellent "rookies." More similarities exist than differences, so let's jut say that these two districts are equal. Let's also say, that because of state standards, each district's benchmarks for success are also equal.

Are we then able to prescribe a path for success that would work for both districts? Probably not. Many people could give many reasons why not...all of them valid.

I would argue that probably not is too easy. Definetely not would be my answer. Why am I so sure?

Because any path to true success cannot be mapped, even after it has been completed. Truly successful organizations tend to take the Google approach, even without knowing it. Google requires their employees to spend at least 20% of their time coming up with new ideas that have nothing to do with their current job. In successfull organizations, this happens, but most of the time it happens after the common workplace hours.

A "TripTik" after the success would might look like this:



If we take a closer look, you would see (especially if my drawing were better!) how sucess usually starts out with a targeted goal, but very quickly new paths begin to emerge.



The choice organizations must make is whether they attempt to keep their people close to the targeted path, or allow and encourage the multiple pathways toward sucess. As mentioned earlier, Google almost forces the multiple pathways while companies like Ford are beginning to change in that direction.

Whichever direction is taken, it should also be noted that sucess is also not a direct end point, but a whole metropolitan area. You can necessarily point directly to it on a map, but you know when you are there.



So, can you get a "TripTik" to success? I would say NO!