The 'Maniacal Loop Closer' Principle
I have been super blessed to work with Abilene Christian University over the last several years.
It is a university with great and talented people.
One principle that I was introduced to in my time at ACU is The Maniacal Loop Closer Principle.
The saying "trust comes in drips and leaves in buckets" is not totally correct.
It certainly can leave in buckets, but it can also leave in drips.
"Death by a thousand cuts."
"The Maniacal Loop Closer" principle addresses this 'death by a thousand cuts' way to lose trust.
This is how things often go:
+ I tell you that I will get back to you on a certain question you have but never follow up.
+ I raise my hand and say that project sounds great and want to be a contributor... but I don't get my part turned in on time.
+ "Let's grab coffee next week and catch up," but I never follow through.
+ I have a game changer idea and tell my team that I will follow up on this within two days but never do.
+ You ask if I can get that document to you today and I assure you that I can...and three days later you have to ask me again for that same document.
These situations, over time, hurt our trust with others. In many of these cases, no deceit or ill will is intended, but the effect is losing trust drip by drip.
If this behavior continues or becomes a regular thing, it can turn into "he is not trustworthy" or "he will lie to your face".
These are probably harsh critiques, but they actually might be fair. Is the person who says, "Let's get coffee next week...I'll connect at the end of the week to set something up" a liar if they don't connect at the end of the week? That might be a little strong...until that is the fifth time in four months this has happened.
A maniacal loop closer follows through on what they intend to do, and close that loop- all the time!
Even if it is "I have not had a chance to track down that info, give me a couple more days and I will get it to you."
*PS- if you do this six times in a four months period, this too starts to wear thin.
Close your loops. Do what you say you will do. Or don't say you will do it.
I have a conversation with a client of mine every 4-5 months, encouraging him to underpromise and overdeliver. Stop saying you will get X, Y, Z to them in 48 hours, knowing full well there is zero shot you can deliver.
Close the loops. Follow up. And avoid losing trust in drips.
Click here to learn about/order my book Upside Down Leadership
Click here to learn about/order my book The Leadership Greenhouse
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One of my weekly disciplines is scouring the internet for articles/tweets I can learn from and/or use with those I work with. Below are two that I hope help encourage and equip you.
Article 1- WOW!!!! Must watch 2:00 clip
Article 2- The importance of high standards
Podcast- Jeff Mitchell- AD at Ball State- Awesome leader.
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