One of many biggest pitfalls in observe, and particularly in observe management, is what the legendary investor Charlie Munger used to name “physics envy.” Physics envy is the need to take extremely complicated methods and picture that there’s a secret, knowable components driving all of it. The unlucky fact is that this isn’t how methods involving human beings truly work, and the seek for a rinse-and-repeat method to the human facet of observe is usually wishful pondering.
Irrespective of how a lot we want there was a dependable components to reply issues about the best way to inspire completely different folks, construct good cultures in radically completely different groups, or change the behaviors of individuals with completely different worldviews, there merely isn’t. There may be and by no means can be a “one-size-fits-all” technique to discuss to purchasers, to heal sufferers (and even deal with particular circumstances), or to handle a hospital workforce.
This, in fact, doesn’t imply we must always throw up our fingers and let the chaos overwhelm us. As a substitute, it’s only a reminder that we have to be constantly listening, studying, and adapting. It implies that nobody will ever be capable of give us the last word reply that can completely resolve our folks issues, and that we are going to by no means have certainty about what the longer term holds (so long as different individuals are concerned in it).
Whereas working with people could not have the attractive certainty of a physics drawback, there’s a sure magic in navigating an surroundings that’s all the time altering. Individuals are fascinating, and mixing completely different folks collectively is a artistic alchemy that must be appreciated by leaders and managers. On the very least, we must always forgive ourselves for all of the instances we’ve did not “determine folks out.”
Whereas it could be much less hectic and extra environment friendly if people might be “solved” by science, the world is extra stunning as a result of individuals are artwork. They’re messy, improvisational, and sometimes manifest themselves in sudden methods.
In case your observe is all the time operating into new and completely different challenges round working with folks, don’t despair. You aren’t doing something flawed. There’ll by no means be a “proper reply” for working with different people, there’ll solely be a greatest manner for right here, at present.
