[rourke]

FIRST, please improve your two-way communication skills so that decisions can be made that people embrace rather than criticize (drill presses, et al).

Companies too often dictate change without comprehending the law of unintended consequences. For instance, a change made to restrict pit drill presses will have the unintended consequence of creating other safety problems; will impede teams’ abilities to make repairs, which in turn will create other unintended consequences. (For those of you schooled in the law of unintended consequences, you will recall that World War II was the unintended consequence of the Treaty of Versailles.)

There appears to be a communication problem at FIRST. FIRST does not seem to be adequately collecting the input from stakeholders before deciding on tactical change. Nor are they adequately communicating the reason for change. The lifeblood of dynamic, growing, thriving enterprises is communication. Effective communication can limit the number of unintended consequences that result from change.

One potential solution is for FIRST to implement a reverse Q&A process. Ask designated team representatives for input on problems or pending changes, prior to changes becoming law. People will feel engaged. Unintended consequences will be fewer. A better decision will result.

The Q&A system already works pretty well one way. FIRST just needs to use it in reverse too.