Quick Wins: Building Momentum

“I’ve found that small wins, small projects, small differences often make huge differences.” ~ Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Harvard Business School

When I became Director of a small landscape services team, we lost 7 employees on day one. Not a great start — but not uncommon when new leadership rides into town. The remaining crew was demoralized and under-equipped for the massive makeover I had planned. I had maybe 60 days before more would walk out the door.

Every leader has their own process for engaging a new team. Mine starts with small wins. In football, coaches build toward championships through first downs, field position, and turnovers. Enough small wins strung together change the game. The same is true in business.

I started with the basics: pruning. The trees on the property hadn’t been touched in years — limbs so low you couldn’t walk without ducking, and mower operators getting hit in the face on every pass. We purchased extension pole saws, ran a pruning clinic with the staff, and turned them loose.

The results were immediate and visible. Staff received compliments. People walked the property upright. It was a first down.

Look around. What problem could become your team’s first win?

Win the day.

~Jeff