Systems
Traction
Gino Wickman
A practical operating system for growing past the owner's limits.
Recommended for: Employee / Crew Problems
All Challenges
Employees
Employee / Crew Problems
Your team is not consistently delivering the quality, productivity, or accountability you expect.
The Challenge
Clarify roles, standards, training, leadership, daily communication, performance review, documentation, and accountability.
Why This Happens
- The problem has not been defined clearly enough to solve.
- Daily urgency has replaced a consistent process.
- The business is not measuring the few activities and results that matter most.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- 1.What is happening now?
- 2.How long has this been a problem?
- 3.What have you already tried?
- 4.What result do you want in the next 90 days?
- 5.What number would show improvement?
- 6.Who owns the next action?
What to Do First
1
Write down the current facts without assumptions.
2
Choose one measurable result for the next 30 days.
3
Schedule the first action and assign clear ownership.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 1
Identify the root cause instead of treating only the symptom.
- 2
Choose the smallest practical action that can create evidence.
- 3
Use the related tool or worksheet to organize the work.
- 4
Review progress every week and adjust from real results.
- 5
Share what worked so another owner can learn from it.
Three Levels of Solutions
Quick Win
Do this today
Have a calm one-on-one with the person and ask what's getting in the way.
Build the System
Next 30 days
Write clear expectations and a simple scorecard for each role.
Long-Term Transformation
Where you're headed
A team that knows what's expected and is led with respect and accountability.
Lessons From the Pass It On Library
From The Servant
Leadership requires clear expectations, respect, and consistency.
Framework: Leadership Self-Check
From Principles
Ask whether this is a people problem or a system problem.
Framework: Mistake → Lesson → Principle → System
Pass It On Action
Write the top five expectations for one role.
Your Action Plans
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7-Day Action Plan
- Day 1 — Identify the problem: write down exactly how “Employee / Crew Problems” shows up in your business.
- Day 2 — Review the numbers: gather the facts, figures, and examples connected to this challenge.
- Day 3 — Find the root cause: answer “What is happening now?”
- Day 4 — Choose one change: Write down the current facts without assumptions.
- Day 5 — Assign responsibility: name ONE owner, a deadline, and the expected result.
- Day 6 — Implement: Choose one measurable result for the next 30 days.
- Day 7 — Review what happened: what worked, what didn’t, and what you’ll do next week.
30-Day Action Plan
Week 1 — Diagnose
- Answer: What is happening now?
- Answer: How long has this been a problem?
- Answer: What have you already tried?
- Complete the 7-Day Action Plan.
Week 2 — Build
- Write clear expectations and a simple scorecard for each role.
- Identify the root cause instead of treating only the symptom.
- Choose the smallest practical action that can create evidence.
- Use the related tool or worksheet to organize the work.
Week 3 — Implement
- Review progress every week and adjust from real results.
- Share what worked so another owner can learn from it.
- Train the people involved and assign owners.
Week 4 — Measure & Improve
- Compare results to where you started.
- Write one lesson learned.
- Adjust the process.
- Share what you learned with someone in the fellowship.
Biblical Principles
Wisdom for the journey — encouraging stewardship, integrity, and service, never a promise of guaranteed success.
#26 · Leadership
Lead without intimidation
Ephesians 6:9
#54 · Employees
Treat employees with dignity
Colossians 4:1
#55 · Employees
Encourage your team
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Related Challenges
Recommended Books
Approved Bookshelf resources related to this challenge.
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Challenge → Diagnose → Prioritize → Learn → Take Action → Measure → Improve → Help Someone Else
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