The Strategic Magic Philosophy

If everyone knows a few simple tools and implements them using a few simple rules, we can quickly use a shared language and approach that speeds both cooperation and results.

Whatever we do in problem solving must increase involvement and cooperation at all levels of an organization. Everyone has a job to do and we are all connected in our success or failure. One end of the boat always sinks with the other. And on the positive side, everybody knows more than anybody. Our group brain will solve problems even the smartest of us can't solve alone.

We assume that if you can get yourself to work in the morning you are qualified to learn and use these tools to create a more effective and efficient workplace. Experts have their place, but the goal is always to have the people who live and work in the organization create and run all improvements.

Making change to a complex process involves fast iterative experiments. We can't get it right the first time because complex system changes always have unintended consequences. Small tests of change let us find the flaws and fix them before implementing something that will not work. We revel in finding our weaknesses and mistaks.

We can build or re-build trust and cooperation using an honest action approach.

If you want to help people do anything, you have to first live their workday with them and work alongside them.

Bureaucracy is not an enemy of change. By working with the bureaucracy we can promote change that supports both innovation and stability.

If you use simple Lean techniques to identify who to fire, you may as well not bother. People will only be fooled once and then will stop using the tools that could cost them their jobs. Fire people if you have to, but don't use an approach you want to incorporate into daily work to do it.

Leadership requires a person who is familiar and comfortable with honesty, simplicity and courage.