Won't You Gimme Three Steps

We've all been there. Sitting around a conference table. Talking about an issue that needs to be resolved. Feeling good about how the problem has been identified. Kicking around possible solutions. Spending an hour (or several) of our work day focused on the topic.

And nothing happens.

Sound familiar? I have found that management teams are very good at identifying problems or opportunities in their organizations. The challenge is not the problem identification or coming up with solutions, but rather the problem lies in the implementation of the solution. This is one of the most basic skills sets that a project manager must bring to his or her team - getting folks to get things done.

Here's a suggestion.

"With all due respect to Lynyrd Skynyrd, at your next meeting before everybody walks toward the door and back to their jobs, list three steps that you or the team will take in the next 48 hours to move the team's idea forward. "

Just gimme three steps that move the needle from talking to doing. Put a reminder for two days later on in your Blackberry or on your calendar. Then, follow up so you hold both yourself and your team accountable for the three steps you've committed to.

You'll be surprised what will get accomplished.