We Need a Severe Outbreak of Common Sense
http://www.refresher.com/mindfulnetwork/articlelive/articles/570/1/We-Need-a-Severe-Outbreak-of-Common-Sense/Page1.html
Rick Sidorowicz
Rick Sidorowicz is the Publisher and Editor of The CEO Refresher, moderator of The Mindful Network, Minister of Culture of High Performance Retail, and Editor of 1001 Ways to Wow Your Customers. He also works with T4G Limited as a Business Strategist and Consultant developing innovative solutions for retailers and financial services organizations. His profile and contact information are @ www.ricksidorowicz.com . By Rick Sidorowicz
Published on 06/4/2010
Many years ago I penned a rant on the complexities and clutter created by exalted executives. The gist of the piece was this: Are the minds of senior managers and executives just so complex that they can no longer grasp fundamentals - the simple truths - the basics? Here's the start of a new rant - blog - series. Send your contributions if inclined.
We need a severe outbreak of common sense
Many years ago I penned a rant on the complexities and clutter created by exalted executives. The gist of the piece was this: Are the minds of senior managers and executives just so complex that they can no longer grasp fundamentals - the simple truths - the basics? Is it because it just has to be complex to appear to be important, or astute, or executive? Can simple co-exist with exalted? Is it really so %$# complicated? What on earth would we do if it were indeed - more simple. We need a serious outbreak of common sense.
Well today, it's a thousand times worse then I would ever have imagined. We've gone beyond creating unnecessary complexity to experiencing the disastrous consequences of years of self-serving limited world views, greed and the erosion of basic business acumen, critical thinking skills, personal courage, integrity and conviction. C'est domage!
But, it's not all that complicated. It's more mindless than complex. And more than ever we do need a severe outbreak of common sense.
Consider a few views on simple:
"What on earth is so complicated and complex about treating people with dignity and respect, providing information so they can make informed and intelligent choices, giving people the tools, resources, and authority to do their jobs, and trusting them to get it done right and on time? And is it really that much of a leap of faith to see that if you treat your employees that way - they will tend to treat their customers that way too?"
Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop has this to say about her success, "... what’s so hot-shit about putting up products that are good and visually exciting and effective and having staff well trained and loving the product?"
Jack Welch:
"Insecure managers create complexity. Frightened, nervous managers use thick, convoluted planning books and busy slides filled with everything they’ve known since childhood. Real leaders don’t need clutter. People must have the self-confidence to be clear, precise, to be sure that every person in their organization understands what the business is trying to achieve. But it’s not easy. You can’t believe how hard it is for people to be simple, how much they fear being simple. They worry that if they’re simple, people will think they’re simple-minded. In reality, of course, it’s just the reverse. Clear, tough minded people are the most simple.”
Time to clarify, simplify and focus.
Well today, it's a thousand times worse then I would ever have imagined. We've gone beyond creating unnecessary complexity to experiencing the disastrous consequences of years of self-serving limited world views, greed and the erosion of basic business acumen, critical thinking skills, personal courage, integrity and conviction. C'est domage!
But, it's not all that complicated. It's more mindless than complex. And more than ever we do need a severe outbreak of common sense.
Consider a few views on simple:
"What on earth is so complicated and complex about treating people with dignity and respect, providing information so they can make informed and intelligent choices, giving people the tools, resources, and authority to do their jobs, and trusting them to get it done right and on time? And is it really that much of a leap of faith to see that if you treat your employees that way - they will tend to treat their customers that way too?"
Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop has this to say about her success, "... what’s so hot-shit about putting up products that are good and visually exciting and effective and having staff well trained and loving the product?"
Jack Welch:
"Insecure managers create complexity. Frightened, nervous managers use thick, convoluted planning books and busy slides filled with everything they’ve known since childhood. Real leaders don’t need clutter. People must have the self-confidence to be clear, precise, to be sure that every person in their organization understands what the business is trying to achieve. But it’s not easy. You can’t believe how hard it is for people to be simple, how much they fear being simple. They worry that if they’re simple, people will think they’re simple-minded. In reality, of course, it’s just the reverse. Clear, tough minded people are the most simple.”
Time to clarify, simplify and focus.