The Eighth Habit
We've all heard of (and hopefully read) Stephen Covey's iconic "7 Habits of Highly Effective People." It's a timeless classic that has shaped the way millions of people approach personal and professional development. But what if I told you there's an 8th habit that's just as crucial? And no, I'm not talking about Covey's own "8th Habit" book (though that's worth a read too). I'm talking about something even more fundamental: the habit of strategic reassessment.
You know it…our field is changing faster than ever. What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. That's why it's not enough to just sharpen our saw (Habit 7) – we need to know when to put the saw down altogether and take a good, hard look at what we're doing and why.
Think about it. You could be the most efficient lumberjack in the world, with the sharpest saw on the planet. But if you're so focused on cutting down trees that you don't notice you're in the wrong forest, all that efficiency isn't going to do you much good, is it?
This is where my 8th habit comes in: the habit of strategic reassessment. It's about taking a step back, looking at the big picture and making sure you are still on the right track. Asking yourself:
Has the environment changed?
Are there new opportunities or threats?
Are we still heading in the right direction?
Are my goals still relevant?
Are my processes still working?
I know you are busy! You think, “I don't have time to stop and reassess!" I get it. We're all busy. But taking the time to reassess can actually save you time and a few headaches along the way. It's like stopping to check your map on a road trip. It might slow you down for a few minutes, but it's a lot better than driving for hours in the wrong direction, right?
It’s not hard to put this 8th habit into practice. I gave a presentation on Gemba Walks in O&P just over a week ago and a lot of those concepts are helpful here. You need to schedule time for a regular reassessment. Get out of your space and look around. What do you see? What is really going on? Is the business where you thought it was?
It is important to get outside perspectives. I hope you have a mentor or a trusted colleague. If not, reach out to your Customer Success Manager at OPIE. We strongly encourage our community to support one another, and we believe that all of us together are smarter than any one of us. Your CSM can help put you in touch with peers. Sometimes we're too close to our own work to see it clearly. Talking to mentors and colleagues can give you valuable insights you might have missed.
Be willing to change course: The point of reassessment isn't just to confirm what you're already doing. Be open to the possibility that you might need to make significant changes. At the same time, you need to be mindful of consistency. While it's important to be adaptable, you don't want to change direction with every passing breeze. Strive for a balance between staying the course and being responsive to change.
I’m no Stephen Covey and don’t pretend to be, but I do think this 8th habit complements his original seven. Being proactive (Habit 1) helps you anticipate the need for reassessment. Beginning with the end in mind (Habit 2) gives you a north star to guide your reassessment. Putting first things first (Habit 3) ensures you make time for this crucial activity.
Think win-win (Habit 4) helps you consider all stakeholders in your reassessment. Seeking first to understand (Habit 5) opens you up to new information that might necessitate a change in direction. Synergizing (Habit 6) allows you to collaborate effectively during the reassessment process. And of course, sharpening the saw (Habit 7) ensures you're at your best when you are executing your plan.
But you can go through all seven habits diligently and still end up cutting down the wrong trees if you don’t stop to reassess your overall direction. That's why this 8th habit is so crucial. It's the habit that ensures all your other habits are pointed in the right direction. It's the habit that keeps you from being efficiently ineffective.
So, the next time you find yourself caught up in the day-to-day grind, remember the 8th habit. Put down your saw, step back, and ask yourself: Are you still in the right forest? Is there a better way to get where you're going? Are you even heading to the right destination?