No End Runs

What’s an End Run? An End Run happens when someone in the organization goes around the Integrator, directly to the Visionary, to either complain or seek direction.

It can also happen when, as the Visionary, you go around the Integrator and you move down into the organization – and begin to give direction. That’s really a form of tampering. Be aware of that now.

Remember that before the Integrator was in place, this was the natural way things happened. It was a habit that you formed. Recognize the power of your words, Visionaries. Avoid the trap of those old habits. If you don’t address this behavior, you will effectively cut your Integrator off at the knees – and prevent them from being effective for you.

Here’s what we need to do. We need to learn some new habits. The new habit I want you to adopt is called “The Question”. When an employee goes around the Integrator, directly to our Visionary, and begins to ask for direction or complain – here’s what I want you to do. First of all, listen. Take everything they have to say in. After this, I want you to ask what we call, “The Question.” Here’s how it works:

“Okay, I’ve heard you. Now, I have one question. Are you going to tell them? Or am I? Because one of us needs to.”

If you will simply interject that question at the end of listening to an End Run, it’ll have a huge impact on behavior. In fact, when we see clients adopt this in their organization, it has the effect of eliminating End Runs within about 30 days. You can cut this behavior off at the beginning.

Now, just a couple of clarifying points. We still want you to communicate. I want you to listen. Brainstorming is great. Communicating is great. Discussing is okay. Visionaries – we just need to stop short of actually giving direction.

It’s not okay to give directives or solve those complaints. Also, just listening and hearing a complaint and not letting it go anywhere. We don’t want you to become the complaint department.

It’s also very important that the Visionary never complains about their Integrator. That’s something you’re going to solve in your Same Page Meetings™.

So simply adopt “The Question” – and drive out End Runs within 30 days.

To wrap this one up, 3 key points:

1. Recognize an End Run when it happens.
2. Use “The Question.”
3. Visionaries, recognize the power of your words. Remember, everything that comes out of your mouth moves the rudder of that ship, at least a little bit.