At the local hiking spot, the parking lot is a large gravel area. The area that accommodates three cars always has three, because it is obvious how cars should be parked. In another larger area, somedays people park in a way seven cars can fit. Other days, people space out and only four cars fit. Human nature often leads to having less capacity than if lines were in place that guided people to the most optimal fit.

The same is true at work. Having guidelines helps people achieve the optimal work. The point isn’t to micromanage or have no rules and let people flounder. It is to have the boundaries set so people know where to go.

How are you doing at setting guidelines?

A few weeks ago, several inches of heavy, wet snow fell. It was April, so leaves had sprouted, giving the snow more places to accumulate. And the combination of the two resulted in trees and major limbs falling all over the trails. Many were so large, they were impassible. Because I know the trails so well, I was able to quickly adjust to alternate trails. When one option is closed off, there are always others to keep going.

The same is true in business. Periodically, obstacles pop up requiring a course change. When time is spent in advance to understand the market dynamics, adjusting course can happen quickly. And that speed allows you to outperform competitors.

I love playing Wordle. It’s simple and fun. And sometimes frustrating when I miss the obvious and end up with too many guesses.

Missing the obvious happens for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes we are too far into the weeds to see the big picture. Other times, it could be overthinking. Or maybe just not paying attention.

As leaders, helping people see the obvious is part of the job. And it just takes keeping that topic front of mind so it isn’t missed. How are you helping your people avoid missing the obvious?

It’s snowing. On April 11. And not just a little. I’ve already got several inches and it is still coming. The news folks say this is the first time in at least 80 years it has snowed at this late date, but it could be longer as the records only date back to 1940. Rare, but predicted.

There are lots of rare things that happen in business. And if you listen to people who watch for them, they are predicted. The challenge is finding the right people to listen to about predictions. Some have strong track records, others don’t.

How are you finding the people who can predict the rare?

It rains a lot in this neck of the woods during the winter. So, I bought a poncho to continue hiking in the rain. I wanted more coverage over my legs than I had from my jacket. My quick buy didn’t consider what was actually needed in raingear. After my first hike, the mistake was clear. I bought waterproof gear that wasn’t breathable. All that sweat just sat on my clothes making me as wet inside as it was outside!

It’s just as easy in business to make a quick decision without considering all the needs of the solution being sought. The quick decision addresses the obvious issue, but not all the considerations necessary to make the solution lasting.

How are you making sure you capture all the necessary considerations when making decisions?

The tree was laying across the trail, causing me to look at it as I climbed over it. It’s roots were largely detached, probably the reason it fell. Roots do a lot. They anchor trees to the ground, they gather nutrients to help the tree grow and they absorb water. Healthy root systems are necessary for healthy trees.

The same is true in business. A strong foundation, just like roots, is necessary for the business to grow and thrive. Culture, a strong team, systems and processes are all necessary for the business to grow and thrive.

Do you have a strong root system in your business? If not, it’s time to take a look at how to strengthen it.