From Michaelheap · · 1m
I don't want the details
Leaders trust teams to fix problems without details.
In brief
Leaders trust teams to fix problems without details. Leaders should focus on changes to prevent recurring failures, not explanations of past mistakes. Originally reported by Michaelheap.
The call
A few months ago I was dragged into a call with my engineering counterpart and their boss (who happens to be our SVP of engineering).
The refusal
They cut me off with 'Michael, I don't want the details'.
“Michael, I don't want the details”
The reason
They believed we were competent and wanted to know what changes would prevent recurrence.
The question
After something goes wrong, most organizations ask 'why did this happen?' instead of 'what changes will prevent it?'
The problem
A good explanation can make things worse if it stops people from fixing the system.
The solution
Focus on changes to the system, not people, to prevent the same failure from happening again.
The main idea
Leaders should focus on changes to prevent recurring failures, not explanations of past mistakes.
