1 Thought:
The collective illusion we all know from the original story of the Emperor’s New clothes is exemplified and amplified greatly as markets tighten up in a strained economy.
Sadly the more “fortunate” we feel to have our jobs the less creative we “feel” we should be.
Let me explain.
When things are “good” we feel free to express our opinions and share new ideas and thoughts as to how we (the organization) could be better. Good times make us feel as though the ears of our peers and leadership teams are perked and ready to listen.
On the other end of the spectrum when times are tough and the companies that employ us are under duress the “mood” just doesn’t feel as safe.
For any of you that have been around for some time, like myself, you have undoubtedly weathered both ups and downs. I’m not sure while I was in the first round or two of ups and downs I realized this tendency but as I white paper my life I see it very clearly now; the mood didn’t feel quite as open minded.
Getting back to the catchy title of the blog, what does it mean? You’ll remember in the original story that what began as one person seeing this magnificent garb on the Emperor eventually grew to be the entire town. The need to “fit in” overtook the group, and outweighed not only the actual senses, but also those referred to as the common senses.
The connection I was hoping to create was that as leaders ourselves, or possibly just a small part of a big team worried about maintaining a job under stressed conditions, it’s important to not hide what makes us valuable by fitting in and simply agreeing and “seeing” what the majority sees. As leaders, managers, and owners it’s of grave importance that we maintain a culture, regardless of the “economics”, that invites new ideas, outside thoughts, and we keep our ears perked up to listen.
If you don’t, you will be bounce back far slower than that of your competitors that did.
So whether you and your business are crushing it right now, or things are tough and looking to only get tougher for a bit, it’s important to stay true to what got you to where you are today.
– See things as they are…Not as others necessarily say they are.
– Don’t shut out ideas from others…Never are ideas more important than when things are tough. Leave your door always open!
– Don’t just go around being contrary, but don’t forget that your thoughts and ideas are valuable too. Your perspective on every situation is as important as anybody else’s…Share it with the team!
The biggest danger of following the herd is that you lose what makes you unique.
1 Quote:
“Every organization should tolerate rebels who tell the Emperor he has no clothes.”
– Colin Powell
Former Secretary of State, Diplomat, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. First African American to have held the office.
1 Question:
Do you think you could solicit “one good idea” from everyone on your team? Homework: Ask everyone on your team to come up with one idea they’d like to share and set a due date. Then schedule 15 minutes with everyone individually to get the elevator pitch.
Who knows what great ideas you might get?
Would total involvement like this from the team maintain inclusion; would an act like this help maintain an environment of open mindedness?
I think so. Good luck!
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