“One size fits all” is a description of a product that would fit in all instances. 

In fact, one size fits all has been extended to mean one style or one procedure would fit or work in all related situations. This saying has been in use for decades. While it may work for hats, gloves, or socks – it doesn’t work for training, business styles and success. Yet, so often in business, we plug people into a one size fits all culture and expect them to succeed. The most successful businesspeople and the most successful businesses are ones that stretch. They are business models that don’t follow the norm. They understand that they employ many individuals and not one unit of “staff.”

The reason that a one-way approach doesn’t work is because each individual will view success as something different. Success is as unique as the individuals that dream of it. Success is intimate. Everyone’s view of success is individual to them and probably looks a little bit different, even though it may be similar to others, it is rarely identical. People need to be viewed as unique and managed as such.

It doesn’t mean that the guidelines, or driving principles, or the processes that are behind successful businesses should be abandoned. Processes and principles build the core. You must make sure that people understand what your driving principles for business are. And that they know the processes you expect them to perform. Once they know and can flawlessly execute on the process, give them some leeway. Let them break the cookie-cutter and one size fits all approach so that they can excel past what you have been able to accomplish so far. You aren’t looking for clones of yourself, after all, you can only get to where you have gotten to. You are looking for innovative thinkers to drive your business to the next level.

It is ok to adapt.

If you want to elevate your business’s chances for success try managing – outcomes, instead of trying to manage the individuals. Just tell people the goal. Don’t worry so much about the steps in how they get there. Make sure that you let them know that you are aware that you are watching and that you will be there if they need you. Remind them of what their unique success looks like, and that you can connect with them … AND THEN LET THEM GO TO WORK! You may have your mind blown on how someone achieves an outcome, and you may get even more surprised on how much one person can do!

To do that, you have to connect, you have to know what their success is so that you can remind them of their viewpoint to help drive them. You have to be okay that their view may be different from yours, OR from even what you want from them.

So just remember – success is more than one size fits all. Success is unique for all.

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