The
Leading
Deacon
05
The student leadership challenge
challenge the
process
"Challenge the Process does not mean challenge the values or
standards, just because uncompromising integrity or flawless quality are
too hard to live bu...Challenge the Process is about finding and
implementing new and better ways of doing things in order to constantly
improve and grow."
Challenge the Process is one of my
favorite practices for a couple of reasons.
First, it is just great fun to see or read
about some of the remarkable
improvements and breakthroughs that
people have made. I love the imagination
of selling pre-cut lettuce in a bag or $300
iPods in a vending machine. Some ideas
work and some don't, but innovations like
these sure keep the world interesting.
It is also a favorite because of its
relevance. Challenge the Process is the
practice of business growth, and growth is
one of the most perplexing dilemmas
facing organizations today. If they are
unable to adapt, change and grow, it is
impossible for organizations of any kind to
produce solid results over time and
literally survive. Yes, as crucial as this
practice is, it may also be the most
misunderstood of all. I continue to find
people misinterpreting the meaning of
Challenge the Process in a variety of ways.
In fact, in some circumstances, the practice
is misapplied as a defense for almost any
kind of disagreement. ("You're an idiot, but
don't be personally offended since I am
merely Challenging the Process!"). One way
to better understand what it is, is to ensure
we know what it is not.
Challenge the Process does not mean
challenge the values or standards, just
because uncompromising integrity or
flawless quality are too hard to live by. It
does not mean attacking other people when
we don't agree with their ideas or points of
view. Nor does it mean seeking to dismantle
what is working well, or attempting to
eliminate something that is simply a personal
inconvenience for you. Challenge the
Process is about finding and implementing
new and better ways of doing things in order
to constantly improve to grow.