The document discusses the relationship between individuals, systems, and performance. It presents an equation that any measure of performance (Z) is a function of both the individual (X) and the individual working within the system or process (XY). It notes that while individuals contribute to performance, the system and how well it integrates with people also impacts results. The document provides an example of a meter reader who was in three vehicle accidents. An investigation revealed the accidents were actually caused by the type of vehicle assigned, not poor driving. Changing the vehicle type solved the problem and improved performance.

1. The Individual & The System
Presented by:
Mike Henderson
Business Performance Consultant
mrhenderson1105@gmail.com

2. X + XY = Z
Where:
X = the Individual,
Y = the System,
XY = the Individual Working in the System,
Z = any Measure of Performance.
Key Point: Any Measure of Performance is a function of the
Individual and the Individual working in the System or Process.
• What are the implications of not having a well defined process or
standard process?
• What are the implications of having a process that does not integrate
well with people?
• What are the implications of not having well established qualifications
and training for individuals?
Yet there remains a purely individual contribution to
performance.

3. X + XY = Z (Example)
“A new meter reader was hired and within a 3 month period experienced 3
chargeable vehicle accidents. Obviously something needed to change. Do we
cut our losses and fire the individual? We decided after the second accident to
put them through an 8 hour Department of Transportation defensive driving
course. After the third accident leadership’s decision was to put the employee
on a last chance agreement. In addition, we had our state safety leader spend
time with this individual to determine if there were other factors impacting their
environment. The investigation revealed the driver was experiencing difficulty
maneuvering the vehicle they were driving. The decision was to have them
drive a vehicle that was more conducive for the driver and their job.
The result, the employee now has 8 years with the company and has not had a
vehicle accident since we switched the type of vehicle they were driving. Had
we just blamed the accidents on poor choices by the driver or bad habits we
would have reacted improperly and come to the wrong solution. We learned a
good lesson to investigate the root cause rather than just react to the apparent
cause.”
X = the Individual, Y = the System, XY = the Individual Working in the System, Z = any Measure of Performance.