Dominos are small, flat blocks that can be used to play a variety of games. Typically, one domino is set on top of another and then pushed over to cause a chain reaction that knocks over many more. Dominoes can be arranged in straight lines, curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, or even 3D structures like towers and pyramids. They are also popular for domino shows where professional builders create awe-inspiring and complex domino effects or reactions before a live audience.
In business, we often hear of the domino effect – one thing triggering a series of events that can have a profound impact on an organization. This is a powerful concept because it is easy to think of examples where a single event can lead to chaos and may not seem significant at the time, but if you look at the overall picture, the impact can be enormous.
One example of the domino effect occurs when a company experiences rapid growth. If a company does not effectively manage this process, it can lead to disaster. To avoid this, companies need to develop a domino effect management strategy that is focused on the key components of the process.
A key component of the domino effect is communication. A company must communicate with its employees to ensure that all parties understand the process and what is expected of them. The goal is to have a clear understanding of the expectations of all stakeholders so that there are no surprises or frustrations down the road.
Another important part of the domino effect is setting realistic goals for employees. This includes providing them with clear expectations and training on how to achieve those goals. This is critical because setting unrealistic expectations can lead to employee frustration and failure. It can also lead to a lack of employee commitment which can hurt the company in the long run.
Lastly, a business must be willing to adapt and change as necessary. In the case of Domino’s, this meant listening to its employees. After David Brandon’s departure as CEO, the new leader, Dominick Doyle, emphasized that Domino’s would listen to its customers and change when needed. He exemplified this by participating in the same employee training program and speaking directly to employees to learn more about their concerns.
As an educator, I have observed that some learning challenges can impact students like falling dominos. These are the challenges that begin to build over time and can ultimately impact a student’s ability to master a subject. To combat these challenges, I believe that we must embrace what Admiral William H. McRaven called “domino actions.” These are high leverage activities that serve as triggers for a series of following actions. They are similar to a script in coding: one command that sets off a chain reaction. When students take these domino actions, they can drastically improve their chances of success.