In working across thirty-two countries, moving money in and out of the bank, life is complex. In an effort to simplify the way we work, we have organized ourselves in a two-dimension matrix. At each point there is a geographic line of support coupled with a functional line of support. Country and regional managers knows they have global and regional functional managers that will work with them to accomplish the mission.
To help others understand what we are focused on, the team has articulated a strategy statement that outlines the goals and reasoning behind our tactics. It is a cumbersome read, yet it tells a great story. The core document with one hundred and forty-eight pages is supported by other documents outlining specific sub-strategies and key statements.
We know what we are doing and why, most of the time. The challenge comes when something does not go as we anticipate. The ramifications can occur on one, two, and at times more dimensions. Initially I approached problems as major and minor. I have come to see that there is a hierarchy that is more granular. Each problem can be ranked on how it impacts the strategy as a whole.
Certain actions in life touch more of our life than others. While one can think in terms of major and minor, experience suggests that the impact is similar to our business strategy. An old observation rings true; “There is a sense in which sexual sins are different from all others. In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies, these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love, for “becoming one” with another.” (1 Corinthians 6.18)
The knowledge that life is complex does not mean that it needs to always be confusing. In working to achieve our strategy, I find there are two helpful keys – reflection and openness to being informed. Reflection requires that I slow down in order to see, hear, and understand. Openness is an attitude that says I am willing to let Life inform my view.
Every detail is not equal.
