My shop is a mess!

​Colleagues,
 
My workshop is a mess. It has always been a mess. I could make excuses about the small space, not having enough time, and how everyone dumps junk in my shop (especially me). While these things are obstacles to having and maintaining a clean shop, they aren’t the reason it is a mess.
 
Part of my problem is that I focus on doing the projects. I jump from one thing to another and don’t take adequate time to clean up. I also never invested time on the front end to develop a really good system of organization. As a result, all of my projects are more difficult because I can’t find things and I don’t have space to lay things out.
 
How does this tie to strategic leadership? 
 
Think of an organized shop as representing management and the projects representing leadership. There are lots of thoughts about the difference between management and leadership. Since the 1980’s the idea of managing has become eclipsed by an emphasis on leadership. 
 
From a six dimensions of organizations perspective, we can think of managers as being focused on each of the three supporting dimensions – structures, resources, and people, while leaders are more focused on aligning these dimensions to the purpose.
 
Alignment is much more exciting and rewarding work, but if the three supporting dimensions are a mess, does alignment really matter?
 
I’m trying to talk myself into managing my shop as it will make everything else easier. I’m also trying to talk you into looking at your structures, resources, and people. Are they well organized and in good shape? If so, everything else will be easier.
 
Do good and be well,
 
Frederick