As we all go through the journey of learning how to run businesses and how to succeed it is important to introspect for as long as it’s necessary to find tune between where you are and where you want to be – obviously still need to take action on business while you do that.
It’s a matter of getting to your goals in a more effective and sustainable way. When I start a business or when advising my clients the process, the tendency is to implement and create structure straight away. I have learned that is not just about implementing and being a dynamo, there are two very important parts of the ESIP or Critical Alignment Model¹ missing here which are Environment and People.
Viewing ‘Environment’ from a holistic point of view will help you get more clarity and understanding about what is required to move forwards in areas you may be feeling stuck. Understanding what is the current situation chunking up, asking for purpose, vision, mission and explore who knows about this in the organisation. If you’re a sole trader it is crucial to identify all what surrounds you and when working in a business or organisation everyone should be aware and somehow involved in learning more about the big picture.
The next part is chunking down and go to the core of specific details using the representational systems or modalities: VAKaD Visual, Auditory,Kinaesthetic and Auditory Digital [take the VAKaD test]. Exploring more about the work space such us ergonomics, visuals aids and colours, room temperature [read more about productivity and temperature here], to make sure you’re covering most aspects even take into account fragances and scents in your workplace, the internal/personal state of mind, what motivates you and your team?, is there music playing? what sounds do you hear from the outside and around the working space? how about the voices in your head? -yes! inner-conversation – . look into the tonality in the message on your phone when not available to take calls or the music, sounds or ads playing when putting people on hold… the list goes on and I will keep adding more…
When exploring ‘People’ look into the human talent, behaviour, are you ready? who do you need to be to perform your best in your role?, is there toxic people around?, are you hiring people for a paycheck or are they asking to be a part of your culture and your passion?, why are you here?, what personalities are you dealing with?, how is everyone interacting?, are you trustful?, are you congruent?, do you demonstrate Integrity?, are you aware that as a leader you represent an exponentiation of your business – people will copy and duplicate what you are and how you are.
Again you might need to identify the representational systems or modalities for you and your team and be aware that businesses and organizations are made of people.
This article updated often and I will add some interesting questions that will facilitate the process of exploring Environment and People.
Look forward to have you around sometime soon again!
¹Critical Alignment Model is part of Meta Dynamics™ methodology from TCI – Environment, Structure, Implementation and People