DON’T WORRY THE HORSE IS BLIND,

JUST LOAD THE WAGON

Several years ago I read this, saying / matra / slogan. When I did it took me a few times of reading it and thinking about it till it finally sank in; I liked it so much I started to write a book with the same title although I’m sure John Madden will have something to say about that, since he is the one I believe is credited with it’s history.

At the end of the day the meaning is pretty straight forward. Don’t worry about what you can’t do just worry about what you can do. Another more appropriate way to look at it as it applies in coaching or elsewhere is that you shouldn’t look at the lack of leadership (The horse in this case) or lack of information or clarity, as a reason to not make progress. Don’t wait until all of the facts or possible solutions have revealed themselves before you begin your journey.

The Book Corps Principles uses a similar philosophy. The Marine Corp works off the basic principle as it applies to business which is to not delay until you have 100% and the answer is apparent. Because if you wait for the answer to be apparent to you; it is also, probably, apparent to your enemy (Competitor) also.

It works off the concept in business that you should try and find out as much as possible to make an educated decision and put your plan together while continuing to gather information. But then act on that information when it’s appropriate and you know that 80% of the information is in.

Now, that’s not to say you should make a decision when if you wait 45 minutes you’ll know 100%. Unless 45 Minutes will be an imperative, wait the 45 min. But if you have to wait months to formulate your strategy based on the final 10-20% and you’re reasonably sure that nothing will change. You should start the wheels in motion.

An example is an evacuation plan. Evacuation plans are usually based around something similar you don’t wait till the storm hits to evacuate, you evacuate when you are “Reasonably Sure” of the danger or outcome. Most companies design planning around contingency plans or risk analysis. They don’t wait till the risk runs them over at 3PM on a Tuesday afternoon.

When it comes to the principles of manufacturing and Lean / Six Sigma it is similar. The low hanging fruit can be obtained for minimal cost and with little commitment. That final 10-20% will yield the least (in most cases) and cost the most. (This leads us to our March Technical Session - LEAN)

At the end of the day a plan without execution and a timeline is just a good intention.

Dean Phillips

dphillips@linkelectric.com