Craft

Build the machine first

On why adding headcount doesn’t make up for poor management or process.

Adding headcount doesn’t make up for poor management or process.

An illustration:

An orchestra syncs itself to the conductor. If you have a poor conductor, or no conductor at all, adding more musicians won’t improve the orchestra’s ability to play together.

In fact, adding musicians makes it worse

In this example, the outcome is obvious.

Yet, this is what we often do in companies. 

We often add head count in an attempt to solve output problems, when in most cases improvements or changes in leadership, existing personnel, and/or process are what’s necessary. 

Adding personnel can only add capacity if the systems and leadership are in place to take advantage of them. 

Without them you only stand to compound the problems you’re trying to solve. 

Build the machine first.

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