Your team used to be a success.  Every project was delivered on time and under budget.  Team morale was high and you were the “Go-To Team.” You don’t know what happened but success now seems out of reach.

Here are three quick fixes that you may be tempted to try:

1-Just do more of what you are already doing.  It might not be working now, but maybe more of the same will bring success.  Grow more, spend more, centralize more, decentralize more.

2-Just ignore any negative data and amplify the positive data.  And if you don’t really understand the data find away to make it positive.

3-Just do something big and bold:  change the entire leadership team, launch a bold but untested strategy, dive into a radical transformation, roll out a hoped-for blockbuster product.

In his book Why the Mighty Fall Jim Collins shared stories of companies that tried these quick fixes.  You can tell from the title of his book that these companies did not achieve success.  Quick fixes never work for long term success.

“The elevator to success is out of order.  You’ll have to use the stairs…one step at a time.” – Joe Girard

Here are three steps that you should take to return to success:

1-Remember what brought you success in the first place. Return the focus to your core purpose, core passion, and core discipline.  Get back to what you do well.

“I don’t look to jump over 7-foot bars: I look around for 1-foot bars that I can step over.” – Warren Buffett

2-Take an honest look at the facts, what is really happening, you can’t form a real solution unless you focus on real problems. What is keeping you from the success you seek?

“Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure.” – Napoleon Hill

3-Create a plan and take calm, deliberate action.

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” – Tony Robbins