More Checklist Manifesto

Had to put the book down with work and other duties, but reading along tonight, I came across two more reasons why this book is a must for every sports information director/digital media director/social media director out there. For reference, it is surgeon Atul Gawande's book, The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right.

While I really appreciated the explanation of the difference between a DO-CONFIRM and a READ-DO, this is the 140-takeaway of the whole book:

"Just ticking boxes is not the ultimate goal here. Embracing a culture of teamwork and discipline is. And if we recognize the opportunity, the . . . checklist is just a start."

Let that marinate for a minute.

Pardon me while I rant, but this is the heart of every checklist, guideline, policy or procedure I have ever authored or worked out among a group. When they succeed, it is because they have lead to teamwork -- first in the making of the guideline to implementing it. Where they fail, they have done so because A) the authority above "didn't think it was important" or B) the authority above (or the people below) wanted a solution imposed.

If you get the book and dive into that DO-CONFIRM/READ-DO philosophical difference, you'll understand that nothing important, nothing lasting will succeed without quality checklists. Call them guidelines or whatever, it's all the same concept.

Patience is being willing to wait for those unable to see to have their vision to clear.

Here's to having it. Patience. And good checklists.

Read more on Gawande's book from my earlier post.