Wednesday 25 April 2012

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link

I was searching and battling with my thoughts to find what should be the very first post to launch this blog. Just like everybody else, I also wanted something sensational, something thoughtful, disruptive...this and that..so many thoughts to collate with so high expectations from first post.

and then finally, it came as lightening, why should it be a complex post full of confusing management jargon, why can't it be plain and simple truth.

Yes, the truth - that is where all the universe shrank to this simple thought - what are organizations made of..what is it that work space compose of. ? Answer: It's the people, it's the team, it's the leadership.

The chain of command as we call it. Now the obvious question raises his head - where lies the strength in chain of command ?

Answer: In the weakest link

Yes, folks, no matter how complex you want it, the answer is simple - A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

What is it to do now ? Invest to strengthen the weakest link.

Identify the links, measure the strength on links on parameter of attitude, aptitude and altitude.Invest to raise the bar for each link, support them and if there is nothing which brings the desired result - be ready to replace the weakest link.

Repeat the iteration and keep strengthening the links to establish wonderful Chain of Command.

3 comments:

Nityn said...

An alternate theory states that manager / leader should spend more time with her star performer than the weak performer or as you say weak link. You will get more if you invest your time on the stars. The same time spent on weak members will yield lower results and will not even be of high quality.

It is the 80 / 20 rule that prevails. 80% of work is done by 20 % people rest just come and go. So work on 20% of your folks....

Thoughts ??

Anonymous said...

Hmm, In my view, it would not matter if the weak link is at a junior level. It is top team and at most middle team that matters. Rest is your processes. Everyone is in the same job market and therefore you would in most of the cases will be able to hire an average team only. Look at all the companies you had been, there was always a normal distribution curve theory applicable. Some guys would be non-performers and some star-performers. In my view company is a reflection of Top Management team's vision, thought process, principle and beliefs. I would differ here and say that only Top management requires to be strong and rest would follow.

Hirdesh Gupta said...

@Nityn: This is where the fine distinction of good human trait lies. In natural selection obviously the fittest would survive, however it's the human ability to give chance and support to those who are weak.

@Sachban:Yes, the thought is to find the iterative process with which one can hone the chain of command within the constraints of using same links.