Iteration is a repeated action of processes to generate a desired outcome. Picture me in a “Chuck E. Cheese’s” trying to shoot a mini-basketball in a hoop that keeps moving. I’d use my right hand—adjust the angle of my bent elbow—then switch to my left. Once I’ve finally gotten one in, I would’ve made several adjustments to my technique.
WD-40, the highly popular household item, had to do 40 iterations of their formula to get to the globally popular household lubricant that we know now. WD-40 means, “water displacement formula #40.” Their constant iterative improvements have allowed them to build a business around this one product. Imagine if they gave up at the 5th try (that’s me), or the 39th try? One iteration away from the magic formula. That formula is so magical, that it’s still the same formula we use today since 1953.
It took Rovio 52 tries to get to their highly successful “Angry Birds” (AB) game in 2009. Just imagine all the time and effort spent in creating 51 games, and failing. The seminal mobile game app, that has captivated virtually anyone who owns a compatible mobile device since 2009, is one of the world’s (52 countries) favorite pastime (or addiction). It has 67 million monthly active users, over 4 billion downloads, and has a global brand awareness of 97%. However, Rovio didn’t stick to that 52nd game to remain relevant.
Their industry requires constant iterative improvements to keep their users captivated. They didn’t create ‘new’ games to be their flagship product. Instead, they made improvements to their mobile bundle of joy. They have at least 20 game releases, adding different themes and challenges. Titles like, “AB Star Wars,” “AB 2,” “AB Transformers,” and “AB Dream Blast,” kept their users engaged and opened doors for new users by adding versions that cater to them.
WD-40 didn’t need to adjust their formula. Instead, they improved and added on the way it’s packaged and dispensed, they found other uses, and they kept changing how they market the product. There was no need to change their ‘top secret’ formula—the formula they never patented because they didn’t want to have the ingredients of their product publicly released. Imagine if they made different versions of the product like the medley of game releases Rovio did with AB— ‘WD-40 Lube and Pest Control,’ ‘WD-40 SVU,’ or ‘Pumpkin Spice WD-40.’ The possibilities are, uhm, unnecessary, borderline inappropriate.
How does the power of constant iterative improvements relate to us as individuals, as leaders, and as business professionals? I can’t imagine how ‘Don Varela v2000.1’ can survive in my world today. To get to ‘Don Varela v2020.10’ I’ve learned how to lead teams, have difficult conversations with direct reports, work closely with and communicate to senior executives, and how to accept failure and rejection learning experiences. Not to mention learning (still lots to learn) how to be a husband and a father—dealing with teenagers, changing diapers, teaching life skills, and nurturing a special needs child.
Keep learning. Keep challenging yourself. Keep improving.
Don’t rely on your past successes to move you forward. Your past successes have brought you to where you’re at now—this is now your new baseline and foundation. Master that foundation and keep building upon it. The journey never stops. Former NBA player, JJ Redick, said, “You’ve never arrived. You’re always becoming.” An author (I think it was Peter Drucker) was once asked which of his several books is his favorite. He answered, “The next one.”
Again: Keep learning. Keep challenging yourself. Keep improving.
In the past 20 years, I’ve jumpstarted my learning by jumping into several roles, in different parts of the organization. In those 13 different roles, I had to learn use new tools, new disciplines, and new skills. I’ve interacted with tens of thousands of unique individuals, and have had the privilege to lead hundreds team members. In each interaction, I learn new things—some big, some small.
Learning how to deal with different personality styles has given me a unique perspective. Looking at the organization, our processes, our products and services, our culture, and our leadership culture, using different lenses and from different vantage points.
I went back to school for more advanced learning. Signed up for webinars, conferences, and talks. Have had several executive mentors and coaches to help me improve on specifics skills that each of them specializes in. Coaching and mentoring others have been significant learning experiences as well. To teach what you’ve learned completes the cycle of that learning experience.
I also learn mentors-from-afar. Reading books and biographies of leaders, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs. As of today, I’ve read 32 books this year. My starting goal was 20 books in 2020, but I have now adjusted that to 50 books. Others read over 200 books a year—I’m not quite there, yet.
From mentoring and coaching one-on-one or in teams, I’ve tried to expand my reach by starting this blog a year ago and by speaking at conferences and events. Creating content, to journal and share my learning experiences, has helped me process those iterative improvements and create something tangible out of it. Hoping that others can learn from them as well.
Without those iterative improvements, I would not be able to handle the job and responsibilities that I have right now. Man, I’m barely handling it right now at this state! To reach your ultimate goal (which will keep adjusting as well), you’ll need smaller, iterative goals to get there.
Do you want to lose X pounds by the end of the year? Don’t focus on that magic number. Instead, focus on the daily tasks and the subtle improvements that you can and should do now. Cutting the sugar. Exercising. Portion-control. Maybe focus on losing a pound a week, or two weeks, or a month.
Want to run a marathon? Learn how to run a mile first, then two, and so on. If you immediately rush for your ultimate goal at the start of your journey, you’ll fail—miserably. That misery will discourage most of people. People who hit this type of disappointment, usually quit and find other things to do. Yes, you will also fail doing those small steps, but you won’t fail so badly to the point of quitting. It stretches you enough to improve. It’s not too hard for you to quit, and it’s not too easy for you to get bored.
Remember: constant iterative improvements + learning failures = Small wins. Small wins are building blocks to bigger wins in life.
Crowdsourcing FTW
Can you share an ultimate goal your working on and what iterative improvements you’re doing to get there? How were you able to overcome the many failed attempts? What would your advice your much younger self?