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The consultant and the men by the pillars
With productivity falling below their goals, the board of the ABC Widget Company decided
to hire a consultant to investigate potential avenues for improvement. The consultant set out
right away to tour the plant.
Soon after entering the shipping area he noticed a man standing next to one of the pillars
holding up the roof. After introducing himself, the consultant asked the man what his job
was.
“I am supposed to stand by this pillar,” the employee said.
Curious, the consultant asked why he was suppose to stand there.
“I don’t know. My boss told me to stand by the pillar so that is what I do.”
Thanking the man, the consultant continued on his tour. When he got to the production line
he noticed a man standing next to a pillar.
“Good afternoon,” the consultant said before explaining who he was. “May I ask you what you do here?”
The man by the pillar said, “This is my job. I am supposed to stand by this pillar all day. I’ve been doing it for five years.”
The following month the consultant presented his findings as the board reconvened. A discussion of the board members ensued
and soon a decision was made as to how to handle the situation.
When the discussion had concluded, the consultant was tasked with firing one of the two men standing by the pillars.
Why?
Although the two men were standing next to different pillars, it was clearly a duplication of effort.
Life Lesson: decisions are often too narrow in their focus.
About MaxImpact
MaxImpact is a training and development organization based in Rochester Hills. Their products and services connect teams to a
shared vision. For information on MaxImpact, visit www.getmaximpact.com, call 248-802-6138, or write rick@getmaximpact.
com.
©2008 Max Impact Corporation
With productivity falling below their goals, the board of the ABC Widget Company decided
to hire a consultant to investigate potential avenues for improvement. The consultant set out
right away to tour the plant.
Soon after entering the shipping area he noticed a man standing next to one of the pillars
holding up the roof. After introducing himself, the consultant asked the man what his job
was.
“I am supposed to stand by this pillar,” the employee said.
Curious, the consultant asked why he was suppose to stand there.
“I don’t know. My boss told me to stand by the pillar so that is what I do.”
Thanking the man, the consultant continued on his tour. When he got to the production line
he noticed a man standing next to a pillar.
“Good afternoon,” the consultant said before explaining who he was. “May I ask you what you do here?”
The man by the pillar said, “This is my job. I am supposed to stand by this pillar all day. I’ve been doing it for five years.”
The following month the consultant presented his findings as the board reconvened. A discussion of the board members ensued
and soon a decision was made as to how to handle the situation.
When the discussion had concluded, the consultant was tasked with firing one of the two men standing by the pillars.
Why?
Although the two men were standing next to different pillars, it was clearly a duplication of effort.
Life Lesson: decisions are often too narrow in their focus.
About MaxImpact
MaxImpact is a training and development organization based in Rochester Hills. Their products and services connect teams to a
shared vision. For information on MaxImpact, visit www.getmaximpact.com, call 248-802-6138, or write rick@getmaximpact.
com.
©2008 Max Impact Corporation
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| July 14, 2008 |