Usually when you think of the domino effect you think of one domino getting knocked down and all of the others falling down in a row after it, which is true, but having a domino effect at work can have a positive effect. This is done by having all team members performance aligned with what the purpose and priorities are of the company on a daily if not moment by moment basis. Which requires identifying what the company’s number one purpose is and then identifying the top 3-5 priorities for each team member in order to fulfill and make the purpose happen. Collaboration between all team members is essential including the business owner and all management staff, everyone’s priorities need to be in alignment with the main purpose in order to work successfully together.
A perfect example of aligned teamwork happened to me a couple of weeks ago when I was taking a flight to Chicago and as I was leaving for the airport I received a call stating that my flight had been cancelled due to mechanical problems. The airline representative was ready to get us on the next available flight without too much delay, but upon arriving to the airport that flight was delayed and again the flight representatives were there working on the problem in an orderly manner handling the situation with great professionalism. Once the plane arrived they boarded everyone quickly and efficiently as people were in a hurry. When we were on the plane ready to go the pilot announced there would be a short delay because they were checking out the wings because the prior flight crew noticed some humming upon landing. In about 15 minutes we taxied out on the runway to wait our turn to leave, which seemed to be taking longer than expected, when the pilot came on stating that we needed to return to the gate because the wrong tests were performed on the wings and we would be delayed another 30-40 minutes. All along the flight attendants where handling the issues and the traveler’s issues with amazing calmness and keeping things orderly. There were some people by this time getting upset and scared who wanted off the plane. They got their wish as the pilot told everyone to gather their luggage as this plane was not going anywhere but to the hanger. We all deplaned and the airline attendants were busy rescheduling passengers with care and understanding knowing many passengers were upset due to delays and missed connections in their plans. Eventually, 3 hours later, those of us left,who did not need to reschedule, boarded a new plane for Chicago, along with the original flight crew from the first flight, who were delightful, kind and caring professionals, who had waited along with us for a delay of over 6 hours. This airline team from the front counter to the crew knew what the purpose of the company was “safe, efficient flights, while caring for their customers in a kind, professional manner” and even though this day did not go according to the plans, they handled the situation perfectly because they were all in alignment with each other and the standards of their company.
If you have never had the opportunity to watch hundreds or thousands of dominos that were set up for a purpose that when the first one was tapped the rest fell in order to accomplish their purpose take a minute to watch the video below of the world record for dominos being knocked down, 4 million of them. It is truly amazing how each block served a purpose to complete the ultimate purpose. Now the challenge is to see how well we can act and react to be in alignment with our team members to accomplish our companies purpose each day.
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