A team becomes steadier when mistakes have solutions instead of permanent owners.

LEADERSHIP

WHAT THIS MEANS

The question asked after something goes wrong sets the weather for years. Asking who did it produces careful, quiet people who conceal problems until they are too big to conceal. Asking what would stop it happening again produces people who mention things early. Blame is mostly a way of feeling that something has been done.

Next time something breaks on your watch, spend the entire first conversation on the fix and the safeguard. The name will still be available later, and you will probably no longer want it.

A QUESTION TO SIT WITH

Whose old mistake still gets mentioned on your team?

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