Combining a single solar cell with many other cells is how a solar panel is made. Add many solar panels together, and a solar array soon exists. Many solar arrays become a solar farm, producing a tremendous amount of clean energy.
That’s the power of modularity.
But it all starts with the single solar cell. Improve it or its production, and everything else benefits. This idea applies to more than manufacturing solar panels. In fact, every enterprise depends on modularity to excel, even if the diversity of what counts as the essential building block makes the water cloudy.
In every enterprise, business, or team, one building block serves as the foundation for scale and success. By assembling or replicating this LEGO with ever greater effectiveness, performance improves in drastic ways.
The building block may be an activity, a process, or a physical production, but every enterprise has one. Knowing this is revolutionary for greater long-term success.
It may be a lesson plan, a critical conversation, the production of a particular gear, running an algorithm, the application of a lubricant, a rehearsal or prep meeting, a checklist review, a mechanical test, or the watering of plants. The possibilities are nearly limitless given the variety of businesses and enterprises that exist.
But for every enterprise, one building block stands out and serves as the foundation for scaling success. Every enterprise has one. What is the LEGO of your workplace venture?
Acknowledging the importance of this centerpiece and investing the time and resources to improve it is the work of great organizations. When leaders think in such a modular way, envisioning how the pieces fall into place and build on each other, a new clarity materializes. It becomes clear how enhancing the effectiveness of this LEGO changes the potential to improve just about every other outcome.
The everyday work and busyness of an enterprise often blind leaders to this reality. Taking a step back and determining the essential building block of the entire operation is time well spent. While it is obvious in most manufacturing enterprises, the critical building block for other ventures is usually less clear.
Once identified and perfected, however, good things happen. Improve the Lego and the potential for great outcomes is unlimited.
