Too often, when something goes wrong, the blame is placed squarely on an individual rather than on the system or process that contributed to the failure.
This approach forgets that most failures are systemic and, as I am learning, there are almost always multiple warning signs.
As someone who loves podcasts, reading, and social media for conversations of interest, I keep arriving at the same message – it is always the process and system that need to be examined first!
Here’s what I’ve learned:
✅ Listen to your instincts – if something feels off, pay attention. It’s always worth looking into why you feel uncomfortable; this is the first step to avoiding a small issue becoming a larger problem.
✅ Gather the evidence – data, feedback and facts are your new best friends. What went wrong? Where? When? Why? How? Look at the details, they will tell a story.
✅ Plot the timeline – map out events to see the chain of actions and decision-making processes. I recently solved an issue that had been bothering me for six months. When I went back to the timeline, I immediately saw the issue actually started 18 months earlier. Timelines are invaluable for identifying breakdowns and where intervention might have helped.
✅ Write the plan – once you’ve gained some clarity, create a plan of action. Focus on addressing gaps rather than quick fixes and set realistic goals for improvement.
✅ Test ideas – no plan is perfect on the first try. Experiment with potential solutions in small ways to see what works and what doesn’t. This will provide valuable feedback.
✅ Rewrite and test again – revisit your ideas, refine them and try again. This iterative process is how progress is made.
Along the way, you’ll likely discover:
❌ Missed communication – information that got lost or misunderstood.
❌ Challenging ideas is hard – it can feel uncomfortable but necessary for growth.
❌ Lack of reflection – it’s easy to rush forward without pausing to learn from the experience but reflection is key to improvement.
❌ Mindset shifts take patience – when you accept realities and approach problems as opportunities, even seemingly insurmountable challenges become manageable. The blame game fades, and the focus shifts to learning and adapting.
Systemic issues don’t fix themselves but, with a thoughtful and deliberate approach, we can make meaningful change.
Good luck—remember there’s always more than one way forward.
