This Question Might Be Step One

Ever been in the middle of a conversation and hear something that sort’ve stops time?  Almost like an E.F. Hutton moment?

I had a moment like that last week in Atlanta at a gathering of some of grouplife’s sharpest leaders*.  Couldn’t tell you with certainty what the exact topic was, but all of a sudden someone said, “We’re asking ‘what are the things we’re doing that contradict our intentions?'”

Did you hear that?  Here it is again:

What are the things we’re doing that contradict our intentions?

Now, admittedly, you have to understand what your intentions actually are.  But think about the power of this question!  Once you know what your intentions are (what business are you in, who is your customer, and what are you going to call success), asking this powerful question will help identify what ought to be on your stop doing list.

Example:

One of the major initiatives we’re working on right now is to identify programs that have taken on the characteristics of a destination and primarily serve alumni.  Once identified, we want to do one of two things:

• redesign them so that they function as steps that lead to grouplife
• replace them with steps that lead to grouplife

Problem-free?  Nope.  Constant clarification of intention.  Lots of conversation.  Relentless vision casting.  Challenging decisions.

Is it worth it?  Absolutely.

What do you think?  Have a question?  Want to argue?  You can click here to jump into the conversation.

*Trust me…I’m pretty sure I was invited as a blogger/witness!