THE ‘F’ FACTOR SHOULDN’T BECOME THE ‘X’ FACTOR.

Real life doesn’t always follow a direct line from point A to point B - and this can cause all kinds of interesting things to happen. 

I wrote about Focus recently, and how we need to make sure we’re focusing on the right things. But, because so many factors are involved in the process between focusing on an objective and achieving it, execution can easily get off-track.

For instance, we have all the following factors:

• Factor A (the leader)
• Factor B (the vision, or goal) 
• Factor C (the team) 
• Factor D (the destination of the vision, or goal)
• Factor E (error)
• Factor F (follow up)
• Factor X (the missing value factor)

Simple, right?   Except that it rarely is. 

(Please note: the array of factors may seem a little confusing, but it will make sense once you see the whole picture.)

Often the leader is so excited about the vision, or goal, and the enthusiasm of their team, that they forget about:

• Factor F (Follow up)

and assume that everyone is on the same page and that great progress is being made toward 

• Factor D (the destination of the vision, or goal)

Except… that’s not what’s happening. 

The team (Factor C), is left to themselves to execute the plans that were discussed, but, despite their best intentions, unknowingly they go a little off-track. The leader doesn’t realize this because they haven’t checked in with the team to follow up on progress.  In the meantime, instead of making progress toward the destination of the vision, or goal (Factor D), the team, in error (Factor E) is edging toward an entirely unintended destination, misaligned with the goal.

That’s why Factor F (Follow up) is the critical factor that can make, or break, a project. 

Which is why Factor F shouldn’t ever become Factor X (the Missing Value Factor).

What do I mean by follow up? 

Perhaps it’s easier if I explain first what I don’t mean. 

• I don’t mean micromanaging. 
• I don’t mean making sure that people are doing their jobs. 

What I do mean is:

• Checking in with the team to ensure we’re all still aligned with the original vision.
• That the necessary actions to achieve the original objective are being successfully executed.
• That any problems are identified, and dealt with quickly.

It’s all about outcomes. 

We may have a great team - you know, the kind of people who believe that ‘teamwork makes the dream work’ and who are united in their motivation to meet the goal without changing course. They have great intentions. They have high expectations. But sometimes things happen throwing the best-laid plans off-course. 

And that is where follow up is critical.

A leader who checks in regularly with their team to ensure that the main thing is still the main thing, can help them course correct with minimal disruption. 

Things may happen that alter the trajectory, but with timely follow up, these can be dealt with quickly - either by tweaking the objective, or working around the obstacles, to achieve the desired outcome. It’s also an opportunity for a leader to show appreciation for their team and their efforts.

Follow up is where the level of our leadership skills becomes obvious.  

When we’ve cultivated a work environment that fosters empathy, open dialog and supportive collaboration, transparency is a natural benefit. When there’s transparency, everyone knows where everything is at. There’s a natural accountability and it completely eliminates the feeling of being micromanaged. 

Factor F is follow up, not check up, and is no longer about fear, failure, or frustration. 

It’s not something team members dread. It’s a ‘meeting of the minds’ by a unified group of people who have mutual respect and who support each other in their work toward a common goal. 

The follow up phase can be extremely successful, and things work a lot better when everyone is involved in the process and can see where the project, task, or concept is at, in real time, or asynchronously.  

Especially when we use a system like Optevo

Where transparency is automatic. Everyone is on the same page, right from the beginning, through to the end. Everyone is on the same page, right from the beginning, through to the end. Everyone knows what has been done, what still needs to be done, and who is responsible for doing what. It allows questions to be asked by leaders and team members before it’s too late. It brings clarity, confidence, and collaboration which is good for everyone - team members, leaders, and the organization.

What do you think? Do you feel that follow-ups work? Do you appreciate it when people follow-up with you? Which is most common in your organization: the ‘F’ Factor, or the ‘X’ Factor?

#Focus #FollowUp