July 28, 2009

The Lessons of "Lust for Comfort"

The great Lebanese philosopher and poet Kahlil Gibran once stated, “Verily the lust for comfort murders the passion of the soul, and then waits grinning in the funeral.” 

As our economy begins to stabilize and companies recover from losses, downsizing, and changes in competitive environments, executive leaders must keep the modern lessons captured in Gibran’s cautionary words top-of-mind. The business world’s “lust for comfort” blinded many to potentially damaging contingencies, and caused many to pay the ultimate price. 

As leaders we are beginning to recognize a need to revitalize the passions of our corporate souls. Bold leadership, critical thinking, and innovative go-to-market strategies are the keystone to this revitalization and regeneration of long-term profits. Leaders who utilize balanced, holistic communication strategies with their teams that speak to the brain’s “right side” (creativity) as well as its “left side” (logic) will see a return of individual passion among the people who comprise the company, and in turn will foster a sustainable competitive advantage. 

July 13, 2009

Sports Metaphors for Business Wins: Don't Forget "The Rebound"

“Rebounding is about taking charge. Most of my rebounds came from positioning, where I was able to get to the ball while in heavy traffic,” basketball legend Bill Russell wrote in his book, “Russell Rules.”   

These days, most executives are operating in the heavy traffic of heightened competition for less growth opportunities -- yet we largely continue to focus on simply taking shots. How many of us also have made it a priority to position ourselves or our companies for the rebound -- that is, do we have the right capabilities and relationships in place to capture new opportunities when the economy recovers and transactions begin flowing again?

Sports metaphors are ubiquitous in business discussions, but business victories are most often linked to “the score,” e.g., hitting a home run or grand slam, throwing a one-two punch for the knockout, reaching the finish line. "The rebound," on the other hand, is rarely used to illustrate the means to a financial or operational win – but in our current environment, positioning for the rebound is as important a focus as getting the proverbial point, goal, run, or touchdown.

July 8, 2009

Flintstones Policies in a Jetsons World

In August 1987, I started my first job out of college along with 16 other new associates at Deloitte and Touche in Philadelphia. At a recent get-together with a colleague from the same Deloitte class who started at the same time, our expected catch-up banter was followed by my friend’s very astute observation that many businesses and government entities still maintain “Flintstones policies in a Jetsons world.”

I believe this metaphor is an apt descriptor for many corporate and government mindsets on several fronts: 

1.  Outdated policies from the ‘90s continue to have a hold on organizational thinking and activities.
2.  These policies, in many cases, are managed by modern-day Fred Flintstones and Barney Rubbles also in sore need of an updated outlook. 
3.  A cartoon’s one-dimensional format mirrors much decision-making behavior in today’s business world.

In any type of reorganization, breaking down ingrained human behavior is the largest challenge. A changed external environment mandates internal action and evolution.  An organization’s use of a “change metaphor” built around well-known characters -- particularly for employees over age of 35 who are most likely to harbor ingrained, outdated habits -- could help expedite a safe transition from Bedrock to Orbit City.