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| 85.
High Quality Work Is Impossible In A Sloppy Environment
| Somehow a myth was created that highly creative people should be permitted to exist in messy environments because their thought processes are such that they can't be bothered with mundane tasks such as cleaning up after themselves. Now I call this a myth because while there are clearly exceptions they are few and far between.
I know of a mathematics and economics genius who looks like and lives in constant disarray yet when he speaks, executives in mahogany lined penthouse offices listen intently because of the value of what he has to offer. My college roommate who in four years of college never made his bed and never cracked a book, graduated with a 4.0 GPA and was worth $10 million before he was 30. These are the exceptions to the above rule - you probably know some yourself.
Then there are the rest of us.
Once upon a time I managed a million-square-foot manufacturing facility with 1500 employees. The previous plant manager had been removed because of significant cost overruns and substantial shortfalls from scheduled production. His performance failures were underscored by a cluttered, dirty facility.
I began my management tenure by insisting the plant be clean and orderly. It took one devoted week. At the end of that first week, the plant management staff recognized that lack of performance would not be tolerated on any front. Within one month inventory was under control and within three months we were achieving production schedules. And the appearance of the facility reflected our successes.
What's the difference? When working with a group of people the environment must be conducive to effective teamwork and clear thinking. A leader must create and maintain an environment in which success can happen. Individual brilliance may succeed in a messy environment, but effective teamwork requires organized surroundings.
Therefore unless you are a genius who commands hushed audiences, clean up after yourself! |
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