The Toe Dippers Dilemma: 7 Ways to Take the Plunge
Toe dippers get ahead by letting others fail. They commit when success is guaranteed. “Wait and see,” is their motto.
Things toe dippers say:
- Go for it. (Let others screw up.)
- Let’s study this. I need more information.
- I warned you.
Toe dippers feel smug when others fail.
The danger of dabbling:
Dabblers repeat the past and call it progress. Same people – Same strategies – Same disappointing results.
Jump in or move on. Don’t stand there with your toe in the water.
Life is too short, economies too volatile, and people too important to spend your time dabbling on the fringes of meaningful leadership.
The wisdom of toe dipping:
The purpose of dabbling is testing the water so you can jump in or move on. Constant dabbling is cowardice.
Tip: Don’t look back if you move on.
Preserving the status quo is wise. It’s stability. Persistent dabbling is splashing in a tidal pool.
Don’t splash on the fringe with your toes in the water.
7 ways to take the plunge:
If the path ahead is certain, it doesn’t require leadership.
- Does it matter? Don’t waste time on insignificant activities. If it doesn’t matter, move on.
- Let problems be big. Don’t minimize issues to make commitments. Every time you minimize a problem you devalue commitment.
- Point out problems with optimism.
- Remember why you do what you do.
- Dabble a little. Run pilot programs before you go all-in.
- Adopt the strategy of adapting. Maintain the destination but adapt as you go. Those who commit find a way. The uncommitted complain from the beach.
- Expect the dip. Work through the downturn that happens at the beginning of change.
Toe dipping leaders may have titles but they’re followers.
How do you decide when to stop dabbling and take the plunge?
The 5 Powers of Shared Commitment
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I loved this article!! I am going to clip the quote “Jump in or move on.” and put it up in my work area to remind me that I should either make the changes, and do the work, or find something else.
Thanks Pamela. It’s interesting how we spend so much time dabbling. Maybe we’re waiting to know more. Maybe we doubt ourselves. Maybe we’re perfectionists.
Dabbling is fun for a while. As a lifestyle it’s dissatisfying. I wish you well.
Love “Expect the dip. Work through the downturn that happens at the beginning of change.”
I am working through a LOT of change management lately and we are in the dip. It gets discouraging. Reading this reminds me that I have to just jump in the deep end and encourage others to join me!
Thanks SB. Don’t get stuck in the dip! I wonder if getting lost in the weeds causes us to forget the reason we needed to change in the first place.
Here’s another concern. Leaders who convince people making change is easy. Even simple changes have a dip. Productivity goes down when you install new software. It takes time to learn and solidify productivity.
Dan, have you been listening in on our leadership meetings? This is great! Thanks.
Creepy! 🙂
It’s wonderful when people see themselves in this short posts. We often grapple with similar concerns. Cheers and thanks for stopping in today.
Love “If the path ahead is certain, it doesn’t require leadership.”
Plenty of wisdom, as usual, thank you!