How to Organize Your Thoughts on a "Single Sheet of Paper" | A Summary of Thinking Techniques for Managing Teams Using a "Single Sheet of Paper" Based on 18 Years of Management Experience
When working, you may feel these kinds of concerns.
・Meetings are long
・Thoughts are not organized
・There is too much to do and it cannot be organized
・The team is not running well
When I first became a manager, I had the same concerns.
I had the same concerns.
I was a so-called
playing manager who had to generate sales while managing the team.
But the reality was
・Sales were not growing
・Overtime was increasing
・The team atmosphere was bad
That was the state of things.
That was when I encountered the
method of organizing thoughts on a "single sheet of paper".
Draw 6 lines on a single sheet of paper,
and create a 16-cell frame.
This simple method
greatly changed the way I work.
In this series, I introduce the
"single-sheet thinking" I have practiced in the field over 18 years of management
.
This time, I have
organized the content as a summary article.
What is "single-sheet" thinking?
Single-sheet thinking is very simple.
Prepare a single sheet of paper and
draw 6 lines.
Then the paper is divided into
16 cells.
You write what you are thinking
inside this frame.
There are almost no rules.
Just one thing.
Create the frame first.
The human brain dislikes blank spaces.
If there is a frame,
you naturally want to fill it.
In short, this framework is
a method of organizing thoughts using human subconsciousness
.
The "single sheet of paper" thinking method can be used in all aspects of work
This method can be used in
various work situations.
In this series, I
introduce specific ways to use it.
1. "Single Sheet Meeting Technique" to shorten meetings
Meetings in many companies spend time on
past reports
.
However, what is truly important is
future discussions.
By summarizing the following on a single sheet of paper:
・Key points of the meeting
・Content to convey to subordinates
・Next actions
The time spent conveying information in meetings was shortened from
1 hour to 30 minutes or less.
Moreover, subordinates started saying,
"Please give me that paper."
Organizing on a "single sheet of paper" makes for
effective meetings.
2. "Single Sheet Thinking" to organize thoughts
I was originally the type
who came up with many ideas.
However, there was also a problem.
The ideas would not converge.
My thoughts would just expand
without leading to action.
At such times,
writing on the "single sheet of paper" framework
naturally helped organize my thoughts.
Expanding thoughts,
and then organizing them.
What helps with both is
"single sheet of paper" thinking.
3. "Single Sheet Reading Technique" to read a book in 15 minutes
For busy business professionals,
finding time to read
is surprisingly difficult.
That is why I practice
summary reading.
Instead of reading a book from start to finish,
・Table of contents
・Headings
・Summaries
I write down the key points on a single sheet of paper while looking at things like
.
By doing this,
in just 15 minutes per book,
you can understand the overall picture of the book.
You only need to read deeply
where it is necessary.
④ "Single Sheet Management" that develops subordinates
When I first became a manager,
the atmosphere of the team
was by no means good.
So, I started
exchange diary daily reports.
I have my subordinates write
・What they were able to do today
・Their next small step
.
I then
write comments on them.
It is a daily report
that is just like an exchange diary.
By continuing these daily reports,
subordinates began to think proactively,
and the overtime hours for the three employeesdropped from 200 hours to 40 hours
.
⑤ "Single Sheet" planner technique for achieving results
Planners
are often thought of as things to write schedules in
.
However, for me, a planner is
a tool for achieving results.
By reflecting with PDC every day,
・How to proceed with work
・How to use time
・Behavioral habits
are gradually improved.
In other words, a planner is
a device to change your own behavior.
The philosophy behind "Single Sheet" thinking
The foundation of this series
is the concept of solution-focused thinking
.
Solution focus is
a way of thinking that focuses on solutions, not problems
.
In other words,
・Instead of what went wrong,
・focus on what to do next.
The "single sheet of paper" thinking method
is very compatible with this approach.
A "single sheet of paper" changes the team
A "single sheet of paper" is
a very simple tool.
All you need is
a single sheet of paper and a pen.
However, this one sheet
・organizes your thinking,
・changes your actions,
・and changes the team.
I myself have seen that change many times
during my 18 years of management.
If you feel that
・your thoughts are not organized,
・meetings are too long,
・or the team is not running well,
please give it a try.
First, take out a sheet of paper and
draw 6 lines.
That is where organizing your thoughts begins.
Next article
In the final article of this series,
I will write about the concept of "Everything is 〇 Thinking."
"Single sheet of paper" thinking and
solution focus.
I would like to summarize
how these two connect.
If you found this article helpful,
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・Thinking methods to shorten meetings
・Tips for team management
・Practical examples of single-sheet thinking
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In this series, I introduce
the management for 18 years that I have practiced while
“thinking organization techniques to align a team with a single sheet of paper”
in the distribution industry.
Click here for previous articles.
Part 1
Common traits of companies with long meetings
Part 2
What is single-sheet thinking?
Part 3
The "Single Sheet" Reading Method: What is Summary Reading?
Part 4
What is the "Exchange Diary Daily Report" that gets subordinates to take initiative?
Part 5
What is the "Single Sheet Planner Method" for running PDCA cycles every day?
Part 7
The origin of "Single Sheet" thinking: What is "Everything is O Thinking"?