From the Ask Tom Mailbag –

Question:
How freely do you explain Time Span (based on the research of Elliott Jaques) throughout the organization?

Response:
Time Span is as natural as behavior.

All behavior is goal directed. The goal may be to pursue a dream, or to relieve boredom, but all behavior is goal directed.

If we can understand a goal in its simplest form, a “what, by when,” we can see Time Span as a natural part of all behavior, and a natural part of every discussion about behavior.

“I am going to the store.”

“What time do you plan to return?”

So, I am curious. Why the question? Is there some part of Time Span that you feel uncomfortable talking about? Ah, there’s the rub. There IS something that makes you uncomfortable.

It has to do with labels.

There are many judgments that are within our authority, as managers, to make. As a manager, is it within your authority –

• to determine what tasks need to be completed?
• to determine a reasonable amount of time for the task to be completed?
• to assess the effectiveness of the team member in completing the task?

The answer is, yes.

But, it is NOT within your authority to tell Jim (or Fred or Julie) that you have judged their maximum capability to be Stratum I. There are several reasons (in no particular order) –

• You might be wrong.
• Your incorrect assumption might become a destructive permanent label.
• As a manager, you have no method to collect the data, to do the analysis, to make that judgment.

Elliott was very careful and specific in his language. As a manager, it is within your authority to assess the effectiveness of the team member in completing the task. Assessing effectiveness in completing a task is much different than judging the maximum capability of an individual.

Elliott made a clear distinction between maximum capability and applied capability. As managers, we are not equipped to judge maximum capability. Yet, as managers, we can observe applied capability. The reason we can see applied capability is, there is evidence of the work product. As managers, we can know the intention of the goal, the circumstances of the work environment, and the behavior of the team member engaged in the task. We can see applied capability.

And applied capability may be far different from maximum capability. I may have the capability to complete the task, but not the skill. I may have the capability and the skill, but not the interest. If I am not interested, you will never see my maximum capability.

On the positive side, as my manager, it is incumbent on you to help me discover my potential (the difference between maximum capability and applied capability), to discover those elements, like training, education and placing me in a role where I value the work. When those elements line up, I will be more effective in the role I play. And you will see job satisfaction go up, with no need for a motivational speaker.

Yes, Time Span is a natural part of every conversation about goals.