Firefighting, Dopamine, and Clearing the Brush
There is a crisis on the production floor.
Your most critical piece of equipment went down overnight, and your biggest order in months is at risk. So you spring into action, ingeniously re-configuring other equipment, staying up all night, and getting the order out in time. You saved the day, and it feels good—really good.
Moving fast and breaking things is not a badge of honor
Without even realizing it, you are craving the next crisis because fighting fires generates dopamine, and dopamine feels good. But constantly putting out fires is not a long-term strategy for success. It takes you away from what is most important: intentionally thinning the forest to minimize the frequency and severity of the fires in the first place.
Moving fast, breaking things, and constantly putting out fires is not a badge of honor. Effective leaders know that creating true value requires intentionally thinning the forest so that when the fires do happen, and they will happen, they are not catastrophic. Actually, a small fire in a healthy forest is the catalyst for tremendous future growth.
The bottom line: slow down to go faster
1. Regularly block time to dream (do things today for better results tomorrow)
2. Ensure every team-member knows their responsibilities and how they contribute to the organization's success
3. Create a culture that rewards forest thinning over fighting fires
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