A month ago, two coyotes roamed through a field pouncing on little critters every ten feet or so. It was easy pickings for them. Today, in that same field, two coyotes were there. This time, they stared at me rather than ignoring me to focus on pouncing. They changed their focus to other people as they appeared on the path by the field. The focus was always on people. It was a stark change from the last time I saw them when they ignored the people in the area.

Times can change quickly. And so can focus. In today’s fast paced environment, people move their attention from one thing to another rapidly. The tough thing for leaders is keeping people focused on goals and objectives. Companies that succeed are able to keep attention on things that matter to keep them moving forward.

Last week, I tried a new recipe and liked it quite a bit. But when I pulled the leftovers out, it just didn’t have the same impact. The dish was just kind of ok. It wasn’t until the next day that I realized I forgot to add the fresh herbs before serving. No wonder! That missing ingredient brought the dish together and it wasn’t the same without it.

In business there are frequently missing ingredients. Maybe it is the front line employee that makes people feel welcome. Or the person that just makes things happen. Or the piece of data that completes the strategy. Whatever it is in your business, making sure it is there will make a world of difference.

Aphids pop up and eat a variety of plants every year. It’s a battle I fight periodically. Nature has answers to support the battle. Marigolds, lavender, lady bugs, and a variety of other plants and bugs either repel or consume the aphids. Nature develops ecosystems that allow each of the inhabitants to survive.

In business, there are natural forces that work with or against businesses. For example, a grocery store thrives when there is a sufficient population, but struggles without it. Coffee shops do well when there is sufficient foot or vehicle traffic. Construction companies do well in communities that are growing. For your business to thrive, look for the ecosystems that complement your business rather than fight it.

The work crew had just finished blocking off the turn lanes for the freeway entrance. It was a bit of a surprise the ramp was being closed given it was morning rush hour. Usually ramp closures happen at night. But the cones and the no turn signs didn’t deter the person directly across from me that turned onto the onramp anyway. Apparently they didn’t notice the police vehicle behind them that flipped on their lights and pulled them over part way up the ramp.

For many, the significant, visible barriers and deterrence keep people out. But there are always a few that ignore the barriers and go through anyway. When others see that the barriers can be ignored, they may follow suit. But if they see accountability for ignoring the barriers, they’ll be further deterred.

Human nature doesn’t change when people go to work. If there are unwanted behaviors in the workplace, it’s because deterrence and accountability aren’t functioning properly.

In a recent round of Wordle, I thought I could solve it on the third guess rather than use my typical strategy that pretty much guarantees I get it in four. Taking the risk on getting it in three resulted in me getting it in five. I would have had it in four had I used my regular strategy.

The Wordle situation highlights a difference in strategy and goals focus. My regular strategy removes a significant number of unknowns. That gives me a high solve rate. But some people want to have as few guesses as possible, but there are more unknowns. Someone taking that route is likely to have more solves with fewer guesses, but may have fewer total solves.

The same situation is found in business. Choice of strategy should be dependent on the outcomes you are looking for.

Two coyotes wandered through the field, unbothered by the two people watching them. Each would occasionally pounce, lifting its head up with a critter in its mouth that would be swallowed whole. It wasn’t hard work for them, just a casual stroll and a pounce. Clearly, food was plentiful.

Conditions can be so good at times, hard work isn’t needed to gain rewards. But those are precisely the times when hard work should be employed so skills aren’t lost when the good times disappear.

Spring arrived a little over a month ago and plants and flowers have been growing rapidly. The right amount of light and heat wakes plants up from their winter slumber.  The conditions create an environment where things can thrive.

The same is true in business. Often times it just takes a tweak here or there to fine tune the conditions that enable people to thrive. Are you looking for those tweaks in your business?