The Challenge
In other words "doing it" is much more difficult than knowing it. We need first to know what to do (relatively easy!), and then do what we know (takes skills and courage)!
Most people can give us a pretty good list of what constutes good management. Ironically "doing it" is further complicated when people are sidetracked by a "success" formula that promises to make it all so much easier. Yet we "already know" that achieving success also requires a good dose of circumstantial alignment with favourable events (good luck). Great things happen when there is "perfect alignment" of a multitude of variables, many of which are not within our control. Achieving Success requires a combination of right circumstances AND right action.
Doing What We Already Know
Despite the fact we "already know" that management fads have limited sustainable impact on behaviour and performance, many organizations keep going back for more: may be this program is "it"; we just did not do it right the last time.
We also "already know" that meaningful learning happens on the job, when we are actually doing things. I prefer to say that training is preparation for learning. Preparation is 20%, 80% of the learning is in the doing.
Furst Consulting offers common sense and reality based consulting advise and coaching to managers and leaders. Our approach is to assist clients (individuals, teams and organizations) find their own solutions by confronting both their possibilities and their realities.
Using Common Sense
Organizations everywhere are bombarded with management fads and "best practices". It seems that as soon as someone has achieved new found success, the assumption is that others can achieve similar success if only they can duplicate what has now become "the" new formula for success. Thus a new fad is born. Another MANAGEMENT FASHION has emerged based on the latest "great" achievement.
Soon new and old consulting firms will offer the latest template for success based on a "proven" methodology (it has worked at least once). Unfortunately, many organizations are seduced by such ready-made solutions and seem to prefer the promise of a "simple" approach (with new secrets for success) to the hard work of finding one's own way. We believe organizational success is both simpler and more complicated than duplicating other people's solutions.
It is simpler in that what often needs to be done is nothing more than mixing common sense with uncommon courage. Furst Principles is about doing the stuff we "already know". How often have we heard an athlete regaining form by going back to the basics? Furst Principles, or Management Basics is about doing the stuff we "already know" but often forget to do or lose sight of in the heat of the battle.