We live in an age where information literally flows at the speed of light.

• Good systems are no guarantee: Information flow is not only systems-driven, it’s behavior-driven and culture-driven. Add a healthy dose of discipline and accountability to the mix and your systems stand a chance of working. Even in the best conditions, if employees ignore the information that’s flowing toward them, systems can fail. Indifference and laziness are the major causes of information-flow inconsistencies and failures. Do you lead with the intent to create and maintain an accountable and disciplined company culture? If not, the leaks will be major. In fact, the water is already past your knees and rising. Engage.


• Gotta do the sports analogy: In football, teams huddle before every play so every player knows his role and what’s going to happen the instant the ball is snapped. As a business coach, I see company players running with the ball in the wrong direction all the time. They not only don’t know the plays, they don’t know where the goal line is. Daily business huddles are a must-do. If you’re not doing daily huddles, your company has information-flow leaks. If you are doing daily huddles, how clearly are the plays (strategies) and goals being communicated?


• Find your information-flow balance: When it comes to information and data, there is such a thing as too much information. I know I just got you fired up to open the floodgates, but overloading your team with a barrage of information can backfire. First, key information can be lost in the floodwaters. So even though you put the information out there, few team members can find it. Second, flooding your team with information can bog them down with information processing rather than engaging in the work that needs to be done. Translation: Everyone is working really hard and nothing is getting done.


• Clarity is everything: When it comes to information flow, short and sweet is a beautiful thing - it’s the only thing. Think of your information-flow system as a pipeline. That pipeline can only handle so much volume. Trying to push too much volume through it can cause it to spring leaks and eventually burst. Leaks are the recurring problems that drive leaders crazy. Leaks can always be traced back to the leader. A burst occurs when leaders jam too much information through their pipeline. A burst always results in some form of a business crisis that requires all hands on deck to contain and fix it. Communicate concisely and with clarity. Why, what, how and when.

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