To Move Big Things Along

Sam was mowing the grass and he got to the point where he always needed to stop and ask for help to move the trampoline.

We had paid some money for the trampoline to have wheels. But the task seemed initially too much for Sam to overcome on his own. 

I was curious at what prevented Sam from being able to move it himself. When I did, I noticed the wheels were all pointed in the wrong direction. So I lifted up the trampoline enough over each leg and turned each of the four wheels so they pointed in the right direction.

I also noticed that Sam found it hard to generate the momentum at first, but once started, and with some encouragement, he could keep the trampoline moving.

By aligning the wheels, Sam could complete the following three steps unassisted and mow the full lawn. 

1. Get alignment
2. Generate positive momentum
3. Equip someone with the confidence to do this again
   

On reflection, the critical steps are simple. I wonder how I had overlooked this solution.  

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I wonder how much this approach helps when we try and improve things in our corporations and communities. 

We just want it to be simple

On the way back from a work trip, I stepped into the cab and the driver was talking to someone on the phone.

I learnt that (let's say his name was Matt) was talking to a senior manager (who did not know a client could hear their exchange over the handsfree). Let's just say that what they shared was more back of the shop talk, and was in many ways... complicated.

I asked Matt about his week, and learnt that he'd been driving for 20 years. I was curious and found out about his most memorable experiences in that time. I discovered that though driving most of the time, Matt is quite influential in the cab business. He cares about the quality of the driving services, really loves doing the right thing by the customer, and and so is sought after by his senior managers for his insights. I heard about the impact of ride sharing on the regulated taxi industry. 

Quite simply, Matt liked being able to provide a quality service to people.

When I got out of the cab, I felt the need to encourage Matt. 

I told Matt I liked his personal commitment to driving. I told him how much I value a personal touch when I ordered a ride. And I enjoy those more when than when 5 star reviews are expected or mandated in the exchange.

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You hear it a lot, often from a manager or a client, who say

"All these systems are just too complicated. I just want it to be simple!"

"Why can't we just have..." 

Who wouldn't want things to be simple? Yet...

• How many times do we see people take simplistic shortcuts, and down the track their community incurs costs many times over?
• How many times do we see people (e.g. engineers) make things too complicated, and see the cost blowout or project delays, and the "gimmick" is put aside because it is no longer usable?

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To pull off a "simple" feat you need something different.

Simple feats like

• Asking removalist to transport both large fridge, piano and a box of fragile vases
• Juggling a chainsaw, bowling ball and eggs
• Making a website intuitive for tradesmen on the job

... need extraordinary patience, strength, tenacity and practice over time.

And a few impressionable mistakes along the way.

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I got inside my house. I hugged my kids and smiled. 

I was able to enjoy that conversation with Matt without throwing myself into the discussion. 

I can see my wife and kids each had so much to share.

It was simply amazing to be home.