Ellie worked in a multi-million-dollar company that made over 92 million dollars a year. She had a great job and was good at it.
But Ellie noticed a problem.
The company still ordered phone lines, and no one needed them.
Because of the red tape and processes involved, no one wanted to take
responsibility to find out if these phones were really needed, what they were used for and the impact it would make on the company if the phone lines were removed.
Ellie called a meeting of the key stakeholders in the company who could make a decision regarding the use of phones at the company.
She explained the problem and asked for key players to step forward to create a solution.
No one stepped forward at first.
As they deliberated further, the key players stepped up and decided the next course of action.
The team gained momentum, reports were done, and the project execution began.
When Ellie noticed that things were running smoothly without her input, she gladly stepped back into her usual role at the company.
This is the most important fact: the company was already doing well.
It was not failing or falling behind in innovation or its targets.
The use and maintenance of phone lines at the company was something the company could easily afford, even though it ran into millions of dollars a year.
It may not have made a huge impact on their costs in the short term.
But in the long term, it would certainly impact their bottom line.
Even though things are going well, every system needs people who are
evolving, observing the systems closely enough to notice what is no longer necessary.
There’s an Ellie around you; maybe it’s you.
Look around and into your systems and processes objectively. Seek change.
Initiate and collaborate with key players who can make that change.
Whether you get the recognition or not, whether you receive a reward or not, you have grown and gained invaluable experience.
You will become indispensable, the person who not only does their job, but makes an impact.
How will you be unleashing your ‘Inner Ellie’ to your world today?
