Getting Things Done 2013.ppt

GETTING GETTING THINGS THINGS DONE! DONE! Lessons from Experiences Around the World

It is more than just “it’s the economy stupid”…!

Rusty Brooks, Ph.D.©

Using lack/availability of $$$ as an excuse for not tackling a problem (Digging the Hole and putting in the “sweat equity”) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Not taking/making sufficient time to accomplish/succeed in the task (Deadline Death or “over promising what you can deliver”) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Assuming that a lack of prior knowledge, expertise, or information about the problem prohibits moving ahead (Trap of the Expert) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Failing to articulate a problem such that it can have a solution (Fine Print Paralysis or “failure to communicate”) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

First looking outside rather than inside for solutions and answers to problems (Ripples in the Zambezi)

Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Understanding that not solving some problems gives power to certain individuals/groups (Problem Pirates)

Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Using problem longevity as an excuse (Always been a problem/Always will be a problem)

Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Failing to look at problems in different ways/from different perspectives (Scenario Planning or really getting outside the box…) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Failing to ask enough whys about a problemunderstanding the roots of the problem (The Why Shrink/The What Stretch) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Leaving the resolution of a problem to a small group of people or to someone else (Death by Delegation/ Committee Cremation) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Assuming that a problem with two vocal sides can have no resolution or solution (The Venn Diagram of Problem Resolution…US politics) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Assuming that problems are linear in their definition and solution (Following the solution lemmings no matter what and adhering always to Solutions for Dummies) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Trying to give long-term problems short-term solutions and short-term problems long-term solutions (The Big Fix—the folic acid problem and Georgia 316) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Not giving giving enough enough credence credence Not to early early triumphs triumphs in in keeping keeping to people focused focused and and interested interested people (Celebrating Success! Success! And And (Celebrating truly building building truly constienuiences…) constienuiences…) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Confusing Confusing crowd crowd size size with with commitment commitment and and interest interest (Size (Size doesn’t doesn’t always always matter) matter)

Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Thinking that your definition of what’s important should always ring true with the masses (Agenda Attila)

Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Being willing to incremental the problem (do sweat the small stuff and learn to take small bites of big problems!)

Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Waiting for everyone to buy in or assuming that everyone must buy in before you can move ahead (Seize the moment!) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Letting blockers halt progress toward goals (Facilitator’s/Organizer’s worst nightmare)

Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Believing that keeping the SOB’s out will insure smooth sailing (The tent story-- Also known as the YWRHTITTPOOTTPI Factor.) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Hardening the the categories categories such such Hardening that nothing nothing gets gets done done (the (the that fallacy of of academic academic silos…or silos…or ifif fallacy you’ve seen seen one one communist communist you’ve you’ve seen seen them them all…) all…) you’ve Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Only Only thinking thinking that that itit can can be be done done like like your your neighbors neighbors did did itit (our (our own own parochial parochial penchant penchant and and xenophobia xenophobia of of “different” “different” ideas) ideas) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Lack of courage and willingness to get it done (Finding the Champions)

Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Not thinking that where/when you hold a meeting is important (the home court advantage) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Thinking that a Board of Directors/Steering Committee knows what it is supposed to do and how to do it (Committee Kennel Cough) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Presuming Presuming that that all all meeting meeting designs designs are are equal equal (Doing (Doing the the Design Design Dance) Dance)

Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Assuming that if you give “it” away they will buy in easier (Failing to develop stakeholders/ Cheapening your product). Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Going Going to to solutions solutions too too early early (premature (premature enunciation) enunciation)

Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Not appreciating that suspicion and mistrust of institutions, places, and people is important (Just getting to trust is a process…) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Always thinking thinking that that more more Always information is is just just what what they they information need (Information (Information Inundation) Inundation) need

Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

Forgetting that follow-up is just as important as the program, plan, solution, or strategy (Checking Back In and in and in…not checking up and up and up…) Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

5 Leadership Considerations for You Participation Equity Diversity Control Vision Rusty Brooks Getting Things Done: 31 Things to Avoid©

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever HAS!” Margaret Meade

ere there is no vision, the people per overbs, 29. 18