Does your organization like the idea of challenge? If you use the word ‘challenge’ how do people react? Does the idea of challenge inspire people: Of course we can try that! We’re up to the challenge! Or do they shy away: That’s too challenging to even suggest…we wouldn’t want people to get discouraged. The reason that I’m asking is that for many organizations, even the idea of challenge is…well…challenging! And that’s unfortunate, because creating new ways to serve the ever-changing needs of our customers is always going to require us to figure out how to do things that we don’t know how to do now. That seem impossible. Like flying in airplanes once seemed. Or having a video call with someone on the other side of the world once was. There are many problems we’re going to have to solve and new ways of working and serving that we’re going to have to create to flourish, thrive and grow for the long term. And the basis of doing any of those and fulfilling our purpose in the world is challenge. Stepping up and not shying away from saying “I don’t know how to do that yet”, or “It’s possible that it could be difficult”. Challenge is the basis of the spirit of kaizen – of continuously creating better ways. Better ways to work, better ways to live and a better world. My challenge to you today: If your organization doesn’t embrace challenge, what are you doing right now to change that?
