"Rifle or Shotgun?"

Rifle or Shotgun?

 

Mark Zuckerburg said (I'm paraphrasing) to a "would be purchaser" of Facebook.com who had just offered him and insane amount of money, "I might not ever have an idea this good again, so I better keep working on this one."

Mark is dealing with a rifle. It's his one "Big Idea" and man is it a good one. In a social-media-defining sweep, Mark created not a web site that provides you what you need, but a platform for you to decide what you need, what you want, who you want to know, and more.

 

Rifling ideas creates focus. Focus is powerful because, as I proposed in my theory of "Magnetic Goals", focus aligns particles, people, resources, luck, probability, and effort to bring about your objectives. We've all operated without focus, often we go enitre days or weeks, listlessly working on tasks, but always feeling we're missing the point.

 

Goal-setting, planning, and strategic meetings sharpen your focus. Task lists, priorities, delegations, follow-up, and measurements enhance your focus. Rifling your ideas is key to executing the vision you choose. This is when  you make it real.

 

I, however, am a shotgun. I should clarify, by saying I am most productive and valuable as a shotgun. Where rifling is for execution of implementation, shotguns are best for the creation process. i had a friend recently ask me, after we received the final payment for selling the wireless Internet service provider we built from 2001 to 2008, "Wasn't that one of the best things you've ever done?"

 

His question sent me on a reminisent trip through the memories of all the things, products, attractions, programs, marketing plans, sports, performances, systems, emails, business ventures, and relationships I'd ever "done". (This is a worthwhile journey down memory lane for an hour or two of a plane ride, long drive, or hike. I thoroughly recommend it to you.)

 

In the face of all "I'd ever done", I realized that I am a shotgun. We have tried so many ideas out there I was flabergasted. I was also amazed at our failure rate. We have failed every way you can possibly imagine, but all the failures were on our raod to success.

 

Thomas Edison was famously asked about how demoralizing it must have been to fail over 1,000 times before inventing the carbon fliament lightbulb. He replied, "Fail?! I now know over 1,000 ways that don't work!" I can identify with Tom. I know at least a thousand things that don't work, but we've got thousand more to try.

 

Choose your weapon. It's OK to be a shotgun and it's OK to be a rifle. Every organization needs both and every individual needs to be both, often within the same day. The only source of conflict is when you choose the wrong weapon.

 

Choose your rifle when:

You just need to get real work done.

You are working on a repetitive task.

You already have the plan formulated.

You are giving instructions to employees.

 

Choose your shotgun when:

You need some new ideas.

You are testing alternatives.

You need to improve a function.

You are brainstorming.

 

Weaponize your employees. Don't you love it when your employees innovate for you? It is truly awesome when a frontline staffer comes up with a sales idea, procedure, merchandising arrangement, or efficient system that I never would have imagined. Wholeheartedly encourage them to do so everyday and implement their ideas, as appropriate, to give them ownership in the workplace. I know Mark at Saunders Farm brings employees together specifically to collect their ideas and bring them into the creative process.

 

There are also times for the boys to "just do it the way I told them to do it", because it's the best way. Explain the difference to your employees so they know they aren't being penalized for creativity, but that this is just a task that requires a "rifle".  

 

Rifle or shotgun? As you get out there this season, choose your weapon wisely. There is a time for each and true wisdom is knowing what time it is:-)

 

Have a great week.

Hugh

Have a great week. - Hugh

PS If you missed the "Goal without a plan is a wish" live event, we recorded it for you to view anytime!

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