Can't Read the Label From Inside the Jar

By definition it is impossible for any of us to know what we don’t know.

D. Brown Management

July 2, 2018 2 minute read

Quote: You can't read the label from inside the jar.

We could be in the top 5% inside our domain and better off spending time scaling the machine rather than perfecting it.
We could be missing something major and not be able to see it.
We could be in a very high-leverage position where even a small improvement could have a huge impact.
We could be missing so much context for the model that we have difficulty seeing how new information fits in thereby limiting our Situational Awareness.

Who are the top 5 people inside your organization that help each other refine your models of projects, your company and the industry?

Who are the top 5 people you are mentoring and coaching to help them refine their models?

Who do you turn to on the outside of your organization that is experienced and unbiased to help give you perspective?

Decision Quality: Data Points, Accuracy, Confidence, and the Danger Zone

Decision quality IS NOT linearly related to information quantity. In complex environments with elements of uncertainty, data quantity quickly reaches a point of diminishing returns but increases decision confidence, which puts you into the danger zone.

business management strategy talent

Effectively Leveraging Trainers, Coaches, and Mentors

Contracting is a high-risk sport and the training of yourself, your managers and your craft labor should be as rigorous as a professional sports team. We are facing a massive shortage of critical talent yet most spend very little on talent development.

Management Accountabilities: Two Foundational Basics

Managers have two basic foundational accountabilities. The first is delivering consistent outcomes given the inconsistencies of the inputs, people, and environment. The second is developing people at all levels into their fullest potential along the way.

business management talent development