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Strategy is crafted through a string of 2nd chances.
Natasha was her name. She didn’t know us, and we didn’t know her, but she changed our lives. My wife and I were considering adopting a baby. We had spent a couple of years asking questions, visiting agencies, and wondering about how to best go about this decision.
We learned a lot along the way. We were told it isn't about finding the perfect baby. It's about the baby finding good parents. We were told you don't become the parent you want to be. You become the parent you have to be. Parenting is a game of mirrors. The children reflect you, your attitude, language, culture. More is caught than taught. You don't limit the number of caring, loving, safe people in your life, and you eliminate the rest no matter who they are, or how they are related. It's connection not correction. Few things are truly worthy, and adopting is one of those worthy things. These lessons and more came slowly. It wasn't a weekend seminar or accelerated learning course. It took time and learning happened through application, mistakes, and a string of second attempts.
Our strategy changed when we saw Natasha on a web page of waiting children. Instead of “Why?” we thought “Why not?” Natasha was about 12, and once we were open to older children, we found out we needed to be licensed as a foster parent. This started our journey to adopt 6 kids and work with several more. We didn't have a plan from the beginning. We didn't start out to adopt 6 kids. We aren't doing it for the kids. We are doing it for us, and we learned along the way.
Business is the same. Strategy is the same. We learn through a string of second attempts. The strategy is refined, crafted over time. I'm not talking about culture. Culture is who you are as a company; it's what you practice. I'm talking about your plan to deliver on the promises you've made. How are you going to deliver?
I love Tom Peters' idea of Ready, Fire, Aim. We spend a lot of time aiming and run out of time to fire again. One of the best demonstration of this is the Marshmallow Challenge. Kids are better at it than adults. They try first and then adjust.
I'm not saying you don't have a plan. I’m saying the plan guides; it doesn’t demand. The plan, the strategy is crafted through experience, and you keep what works.
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By Greg Dyche
5
11 ratings
Natasha was her name. She didn’t know us, and we didn’t know her, but she changed our lives. My wife and I were considering adopting a baby. We had spent a couple of years asking questions, visiting agencies, and wondering about how to best go about this decision.
We learned a lot along the way. We were told it isn't about finding the perfect baby. It's about the baby finding good parents. We were told you don't become the parent you want to be. You become the parent you have to be. Parenting is a game of mirrors. The children reflect you, your attitude, language, culture. More is caught than taught. You don't limit the number of caring, loving, safe people in your life, and you eliminate the rest no matter who they are, or how they are related. It's connection not correction. Few things are truly worthy, and adopting is one of those worthy things. These lessons and more came slowly. It wasn't a weekend seminar or accelerated learning course. It took time and learning happened through application, mistakes, and a string of second attempts.
Our strategy changed when we saw Natasha on a web page of waiting children. Instead of “Why?” we thought “Why not?” Natasha was about 12, and once we were open to older children, we found out we needed to be licensed as a foster parent. This started our journey to adopt 6 kids and work with several more. We didn't have a plan from the beginning. We didn't start out to adopt 6 kids. We aren't doing it for the kids. We are doing it for us, and we learned along the way.
Business is the same. Strategy is the same. We learn through a string of second attempts. The strategy is refined, crafted over time. I'm not talking about culture. Culture is who you are as a company; it's what you practice. I'm talking about your plan to deliver on the promises you've made. How are you going to deliver?
I love Tom Peters' idea of Ready, Fire, Aim. We spend a lot of time aiming and run out of time to fire again. One of the best demonstration of this is the Marshmallow Challenge. Kids are better at it than adults. They try first and then adjust.
I'm not saying you don't have a plan. I’m saying the plan guides; it doesn’t demand. The plan, the strategy is crafted through experience, and you keep what works.