Yesterday the travelogue roadies packed up plastic storage boxes of Christmas and other holiday accoutrement for the next show (will it be here, in the same place?) and the venue returned to normal. One event during the take-down stands out, though---the last thing to go was the tree, which had been painstakenly selected by the roadie team in the space of five minutes at our favorite tree place, which, we were sadly informed, has played their last waltz and will sell out to the local military-industrial complex in 2009. It was really the home-made wine samples which attracted us to them in the first place, so we'll compromise and bring our own to a different chopper-lopper next year.

As the head roadie and me carried the tree to the curb, we were startled by a ceramic clunk-crash, as an overlooked ornament hit the concrete driveway. This was particularly disconcerting to me, as I had assumably combed the tree and completely removed the eclectic selection of balls, figurines, santas, reindeer, kitchen utensils, fish, angels, animals, boats, superheroes, barbie dolls, sports figures (Muhammed Ali and Joe Namath), and knick-knacks before trashing. 

The unfortunate victim was a Hummel, one of several kindly sent to us annually by our Miami aunt. As I picked up the pieces, I was struck by the implication: I had failed in my attention to detail in clearing the tree. I had not done it right the first time.

No excuses, I just rushed the process so I could get the job done faster. Had I been working for me, I (manager) would have been alerted to subsequently review each and every activity of me (employee) to prevent a future drop, not a very productive or empowering management technique. Although I do believe in the 80-20 rule, (if something is 80% ready to go, and you know the remaining 20% will not materially impact rollout and will be completed within a reasonable amount of time, then go ahead and roll out), it's only valid AS LONG AS YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED THE 20%! Last minute surprises require too much high maintenance and micro-management, and losing trust in associates is not good for the leader or the team. 

After careful review of the broken figurine, I realized I could save it with that essential gunk of households and golf bags (use it to seal split fingertips), superglue. It was a well-built solid piece of ceramic, not hollow. Hummel quality. So, I repaired it good as new, wrapped it in paper, and stored it away with its compadres. Had it been shattered in a thousand pieces, I would have rued it and chucked it. Lesson learned: some mistakes can be fixed, and they are easier to fix if they are built with a solid infrastructure, and you have the right expertise and glue to make it work.

So here are two more New Year's resolutions for me: sweat the details when I am responsible for them, and fix what I have broken. 

By the way, I went over the tree again as it sat on the curb. Nothing but branches and needles as I did a final check on my work before the trash truck came. Do it before it's too late.