Anne's Column - Let's Kill "Business as Usual!"

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If there is one major lesson the 2009 recession has taught us, it is that there is no such thing as "Business as Usual". So as we move forward towards 2011 and beyond let's lay that phrase to rest.

My dictionary defines usual as "commonplace; habitual". While we may debate whether the recession may or may not be over, its presence has become commonplace. But the tough times it has brought should lead us to challenge the word "habitual".

• What are the habitual behaviours that may be holding our organisation back?
• How do we break these habits?
• How do we replace these habits with future-focussed behaviour?
• What role do we each play?

I have sat in on so many meetings where I have heard people mutter "business as usual" when asked what they are working on in the weeks ahead. This has been particularly noticeable during times of change when it has seemed a "safe answer". Frankly, the phrase has provided a good place to hide.

How refreshing it would be if someone replied "I'm working on a new and innovative way to do my job and help the organisation meet its goals".

The above statement might seem unrealistic...but is it really?

Staff engagement surveys clearly show that your people want to be involved in problem solving, action planning and making the workplace a better place to be. They want a focus on the future. These aims can never be achieved as long as we ignore the need to provide a working environment that is energised, innovative and willing to embrace "business as unusual"!

At this point I can hear some of you saying "get real, we need sound business processes". I agree. The challenge is to wrestle with how we balance the " usual" with the " unusual", the routine with the non-routine.

The issue isn't whether to have routines, but what routines to have. Some standard practices, policies and procedures are critical to productivity and quality assurance. On the other hand, some are simply matters of habit.

To divide them out, make a list of all the practices in your organisation that are "the way we always do things around here". For each one, ask yourself how useful this practice is in helping your organisation be the very best it could be. If your answer is "absolutely essential" then keep it. If not, find a way to change it.

Remember that challenging the status quo is not only for leaders. Effective leaders create a climate in which others feel comfortable doing the same. If your organisation is going to be the best it can be, everyone has to feel comfortable in speaking up and taking the initiative to turn the "Business as Usual" into "Business as Unusual"! Make it safe for others to experiment, break mindsets, reward and encourage innovation.

Do you want to ensure that you do not remain "Business as Usual"? For more information about Nexus Partners' leadership programmes, email us or call on 0800 4 LEADERS. More information is also available here.