Maintaining the Yard

Michelle Braden

Life/Business/Team Building Coach

Like a finely manicured yard, so it is with your business or department.As leaders, we drive hard to get our organizations and teams running smoothly.The poignant thing is, the grass keeps growing, the weeds keep coming and everything needs watered.Like it or not your business (just like your yard) is a living being.We have to maintain and continually grow and develop.

Several years ago, I lived in a subdivision in the lovely little town of Venice.This was a beautiful community.I have never seen such finely groomed and landscaped yards.Of course, everyone who lived there seemed to be retired, or somehow had much more time on their hands than I.All the villagers despised our yard.Working full time, two children, sports and community service often left our grass a little too high for our fellow citizen’s comfort.They kept their grass about ¼ and inch from the ground, so anything looked high to them.We did not plant flowers or carve our bushes into dolphins.I did, however, have a dehydrated fern hanging on the porch.This disparaged our “Leave it to Beaver” neighbors.As in many life experiences there is a more meaningful lesson to learn.This situation was no exception. I learned a lesson far greater than ‘how to teach your neighbors to loathe you.”I discovered if I would constantly maintain my yard, it would not require as much work.If I could motivate myself (or bribe my children) to work in the yard every day (as my diligent neighbors did), even a short time each morning, I, too, could have a handsome yard.Instead, I chose to wait and only do the yard when I had to (which usually made for an all day event) and when I was done, it still did not look nearly as good as the neighbors.

I trust you see the parallel between a poorly kept yard and your business or team. Maintaining customer service, relationship with coworkers/employees, budgets, evaluating what is working, what is not, communication, conflict resolution and the like is easier in the long run than having to give a major overhaul.We work so hard to get the “machine” running smoothly doesn’t it make since to maintain it?We know the rules, similar to automobile maintenance:change the oil, rotate the tires, check the fluids, brakes, timing belt…. You know the drill; all make the automobile run longer.Simple as this principle seems, I am often amazed how many business owners and managers sweat blood and tears to achieve a level of excellence, then think they can sit back and enjoy the ride.Unfortunately, this does not work in any aspect of business.“Business is like an automobile.It won’t run itself, except downhill” unknown.Don’t let drought occur or weeds grow up and destroy all your hard work.An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Business is like an automobile. It won’t run itself, except downhill.

- Unknown