 Mistakes
– who wants them?
It seems everyone knows “how
to do things right” in business –
but few have justification for it. Although
we have come to realize that having great ideas
is not enough. At the end of it all, results
are what really matters, but the biggest enemy
of the success of any business are the mistakes.
The major concern with human mistakes is the
fact that they just happen, at anytime of the
day, anywhere – most of the time they
occur at the worst time possible.
In business, many people are
uncomfortable with the stark reality of winning
and losing. As individuals, we compete for jobs.
When there are enough, we compete for the best
jobs. If there are not enough, we compete for
any job. In groups, we compete as teams for
causes or recognition. What makes the difference
between winners and losers on a personal basis?
Sometimes it is raw intelligence. But often
it is mistakes: in choices we have made along
the way, in how we present ourselves, or the
way in which we view the world. We often rationalize
personal failures by saying, "Everybody
makes mistakes." While this may be true,
it may also be a point of differentiation that
changes lives — or businesses.
True differentiation is hard
to find. The top players look very similar,
and the real difference boils down to the ability
to execute. They know that execution is important
and that you must work hard on leadership, culture,
and the people. But some don't get it right,
and then there becomes a winner and a loser.
Why don't they get it right? Mistakes.
Whether in business, sports,
or biology, accept that getting near the top
is really tough, but once you get near the top,
mistakes are usually what makes the slight difference.
Winners learn this quickly and learn how to
avoid mistakes — at least the big ones.
Losers do not learn this as quickly, and in
some cases, they make the same mistakes over
and over.
Most mistakes are primarily human.
Given other factors such as mechanical failures,
environmental circumstances (such as weather),
technology changes, better competion, or other
influencial actions. It is in these situations
that the ability of individuals to make decisions
and cope with the circumstances is tested, and
it is where mistakes do or do not occur. Even
certain situations may occur but been derived
initially by human mistakes. For example, some
mistakes are the result of poor design, choice
of materials, or manufacturing quality, each
of which was likely a human mistake. Some actions
by competitors occur because you allow them
an opening or indirectly give them a clue as
to how to compete more effectively.
Now a days, these are the most
challenging times for business in a generation.
We have all been awakened to focus not just
on execution but on flawless execution –
giving us a new perspectives in striving to
avoid mistakes for good.
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