We’ve had podcasts on many topics and skills that could be put under the umbrella of “Transitions”: resumes, layoffs, firing someone (almost). I’ve also answered many questions from new managers trying to figure out what to do in their new role.

The fact is, transitions are hard, right? Yes, they are…except where they’re not. I read a WSJ article today about hospitals trying to reduce errors that come from hand-offs between shifts and departments ( a huge problem/opportunity). Where did one of them learn something revolutionary?

Nuclear subs.

If you don’t know it, nuke subs are marvels of engineering, not just technically, structurally, mechanically, etc., but also human. The boats are so good that they can work year round… but the submariners who man them so exceptionally well cannot. So, our nuke boats are manned by two crews each, a blue and a gold crew.

Imagine what that hand-off is like after each cruise. Not for the faint of heart, that’s for damn sure.

I share this for a couple of reasons.

1. Professional managers read often and widely. The average manager that we know simply does not read, or reads so little that we can say that they do not and not be far off. For both Mike and I, it’s deeply disheartening. If you’re not reading, you’re never going to connect nuke boats, hospital mortality reduction efforts, and management in virtually any organization. But it inspired me.

2. As managers, we’ve got to do better at transitions. Maybe people don’t die, like they do in hospitals… but that’s just a case of missions and measured outcomes.

3. We’re coming out with a cast shortly (I think) on how to resign. I encourage you to give it special attention.

Because maybe people aren’t dying. And nothing’s radioactive. But your team suffers when you do it poorly. And that may well be what they remember of your tenure.

Stumble it!

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 2nd, 2006 at 2:44 am and is filed under general.

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