“But, it is like pulling teeth to get them to change the way they have been working. They get started, but after a couple of days, things are right back to the way they were before.” Matt sighed one of those Manager’s sighs. “I just wish my team was more disciplined.”

“Matt, discipline is nothing more than routine. Discipline isn’t harder than any other way of getting things done; it’s just not what you are used to.” I had spied a workroom on my way in. It was a small room with some simple tools and a work bench, good lighting. It was where people took things that needed fixing. Not broken things, but rather, product defects. The seam didn’t line up quite right; there was a burr on an edge. Rather than documenting the defect and looking for a solution, the team had, over time, assembled this little “fixing” room.

“Tell you what, Matt. Hide the tools and put a padlock on the room.” I could see his eyes grow wide. “Then, have a meeting and tell everyone that the fixing room is off-limits for 21 days. During that time, have meetings twice a week to talk about the new documentation process. After 21 working days, you should have a new routine. Discipline is just a different way of getting things done.”

Matt was nodding, “So, after 21 days I can take the padlock off the “fixing” room?”

“No.”

Tour notes – Lance back in yellow.
Wearing the yellow jersey carries an unspoken behavior to defend the jersey. I am not sure Lance wanted it this early in the race, but the way the tour has unfolded, it just came sooner rather than later.

After four stages, Lance Armstrong carries a :55 second advantage over George Hincapie, his own teammate. The nearest non-team competitor, Jens Voigt, of Team CSC is :64 seconds behind in third place. The strategy at the moment for Team Discovery is to keep Lance safe from harm. Gaining more time will wait for the mountain stages to come later in the race. Read detailed coverage at www.olntv.com.