Fix the Environment, Not Just the Problems · Auctioneer Skool: 101 to Pro

Fix the Environment, Not Just the Problems

Many years ago, I worked for an engineering company. Overall, the years I spent there were a positive experience. However, it had its challenges, much of which stemmed from poor management and a lack of structure. The best way to describe the management style is to liken it to Whack-A-Mole—the arcade game where players swing a hammer at moles that pop up randomly. The focus is always on the next issue that surfaces, rather than on building a system that prevents the issues from surfacing in the first place.

I have seen this pattern in more than one organization. A company starts, experiences growth, and becomes so focused on keeping up with demand that it neglects building a robust structure and documenting its processes. For small businesses, this may not immediately present the same level of difficulty, but long-term growth is not sustainable without supporting structure.

Eventually, I moved into a role where we could take a serious dive into our day-to-day operations and begin building and documenting processes. There are many factors to consider when structuring processes, but one of the most fundamental is understanding and intentionally designing the environment required to support our goals. In our case, we did not always have the right space, the proper tools, or the necessary information readily available. Without those foundational elements, even well-designed processes struggle to function effectively.

If we do not examine our environment and determine what is required to support our goals, we risk falling back into the reactionary game of Whack-A-Mole. We see this principle illustrated even in the biblical narrative of creation: the earth and its environment were established before life filled it. Preparation preceded execution.

While this may seem intuitive, it is often overlooked. Whether you are just starting a business or already have one and are trying to take it to the next level, ask yourself this question: Does my environment support my goals? From there, you can begin identifying the bridges that enable progress and the barriers that stand in the way.

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