Management: Declared intentions reduce waste

At an Easter church service, I learned three Greek translations of the single English word “see”.  Their specificity triggered a thought that would solve a recurring problem that has negatively impacted the performance of CEOs I’ve coached over the years. 

The epiphany:

With corporate application, specificity of intent when sending e-mails, voice mails, or memos would help save time (eliminate waste and rework) for executives, managers, and direct reports who are often asked to do unnecessary research.

The Three Greek words:

1. BLEPO to see (notice) as in glance at. 
   1. sender’s intent: “I want you to be aware”
2. THEOREO to see (analyze) as in seek to understand. 
   1. sender’s intent: “I want you to understand”.
3. EIDO to see (“get it) as in comprehend the significance. 
   1. sender’s intent: “I want you to be prepared to act”.

When information lands on your desk, you must discern what degree of attention, each message deserves.  This is activity often becomes a subconscious act—opening the door to the possibility of serious issues getting short shrift and attention (time) being wasted on less relevant items.

The solution:

Establish a protocol that asks the sender of each e-mail or memo to  identify which of the following three actions is most appropriate for each recipient:

• Level C   Awareness
• Level B  Understanding
• Level A  Prepared to act