One At a Time

Systems are good. They are helpful in making sure that everyone knows their responsibility, the organizational philosophy, and expressing clear expectations. Successful sports teams have systems of coaching and player development that have proven to be beneficial for individuals and organizations. Thriving companies have well-established best practices with proven track records. The key factor in working with a system however, is to remember that each person is different.

When you are expecting a certain system of processing to work with a diverse group of people in the exact same way, you are eliminating the variable of individuality. Every athlete will not respond to the same type of coaching. Each student will not grasp educational concepts when they are only taught in one manner. Children will not respond to messages from their parents in exactly the same way. Employees are not motivated to grow with the same techniques. While the principles behind a system can be valid for everyone, the delivery method has to be crafted to meet individual needs. We can point to large numbers of people that have successfully been impacted and developed, but the most important number in any system is still the number "1". It represents one specific person with their own unique personality, experiences, learning style, and heredity.

Don't devalue the power of "1" when you are leading, training, coaching, or parenting. Keep the important truths in mind, but be adjustable enough to reach out in a specific way that matters to each person. It shows honor to who they are and reveals the depth of your concern for their individuality.