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?

Lean Principle - Observation (Gemba Walks and Learning to See)

One of the most important tools for improving productivity is going to the jobsite or work area and observing for an extended period of time with the intent to understand but not to immediately interact. Observation progresses through about 7 stages.

field productivity lean construction

Definition - Skill

The Ability to do something. Sometimes combined with performing to a certain level (standard / competency) and possibly the verification of that performance (certification).

definitions Organizational Development recruiting talent development Talent Value Stream (TVS)

Mental Models and Building Strong Businesses

The best builders develop a complex 5D mental model of the project, keeping it constantly updated. Through thousands of interactions with hundreds of people over years they “nudge” the project from concept through construction completion.