Turn Signals

If you drive a car, you may find it irritating when someone around you turns without giving a signal.  Why?  Because the signal helps you to know how to plan for your next moves.  It minimizes the chance of an accident because you know where the car in front of you is going next—so you don’t move blindly into his path.

The turn signal lever is there, not to help the driver himself, but others around him.  The driver knows he’s going to turn, has probably known it for some time.  It’s the other people who don’t know what’s going on.

There’s a business lesson here.  How often do you change something in your company without a “turn signal”?  Do you introduce new rules, concepts, products, promotions and the like without giving your team some indication of what’s coming so they can plan their next moves?  If not, you’re not using your business turn signal.

Most people understand the need for change and are willing to accept change.  It’s sudden change that’s the problem.  They want time to plan, consider, and assess the change and the impact it will have on them and their work.  They can’t do that effectively if the change is introduced too quickly.  The result is too often a “wreck” of sorts as emotions run high, processes fall apart, and efficiency is compromised.  With just a flick of a turn signal, much of the confusion could have been avoided.

Using a turn signal costs you, the driver, nothing.  Not using it can cost you much.  In the real driving world, if an accident occurs because you didn’t signal, you’ll get a ticket.  In the business world, if an “accident” occurs, you may not get a ticket, but you’ll certainly pay a price.

Think about this the next time you’re considering a change in your company or department.  What “turn signal” can you give the team to help them prepare?