When organizations need to improve efficiencies and productivity, they often rely on new policies or updated procedures to meet their goals. Unfortunately, policies and procedures alone are not enough to create the desired outcome. It is only when the people who are supposed to follow those policies and procedures learn how to do so with a common approach that efficiency and productivity soar.
I was recently flown to Hawaii to do some work for the Navy. One of my charges during my visit was to serve Admiral Dixon Smith and Captain James Kitchens in their efforts to create Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Those who know their history will be aware that while Pearl Harbor is a Navy base, Hickam is an Air Force base. As part of a major restructuring and downsizing of our military bases, it has been determined that these two bases will soon be run as one under Navy command.
While the Navy and Air Force didn’t need me to help them create the proper policies and procedures for the new joint base, they were looking for me to help them with the challenges that would be inevitable when these two different branches of the Armed Forces began to operate as one. They asked me to help their teams find a way to work together efficiently as they encounter all of the software, equipment, personnel, structural, and other problems that would come the joint-basing effort. Imagine these two cultures colliding rather than cooperating as they face all of these challenges!
I was able to successfully work with the Senior and Junior staffs of both bases. I didn’t focus on how to solve specific problems, but rather taught them how to choose the best common way to approach their problems. The policies and procedures will of course be updated and improved. But it is the new common approach that will be necessary in order for them to be able to work together effectively and efficiently within those joint policies and procedures.
Due to the success of our time together I was deeply honored and touched when Captain Kitchens, the commander of the new joint base, awarded me with the very first Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Challenge Coin ever presented.
Thanks also to all those who continue to send me kind notes. They mean a great deal to me and I am glad to have helped. To learn more about our discussion, read this article by Randy Dela Cruz, a writer for Hawaii Navy News.
Having a common approach to problem solving is critical aspect to any organization. Not having one is not only inefficient and unproductive, it is also incredibly expensive. You can learn more about how to create productive organizational cultures at www.carusoleadership.com.
