Every company has the thing they think they’re doing, and then the thing they’re actually doing. The most classic example are the train companies at the turn of 20th century who thought they were in the train business. Turns out they were in the transportation business. That new-fangled motor car nearly killed them!
People want to be led. I don’t know exactly why. Perhaps it goes back to some weird tribal thing in our DNA. Get us humans in any social setting and we’re looking around for the person in charge. I think we get a sense of security from a leader. It’s comforting to know someone has stepped out and taken responsibility for the next few moments of our collective lives. They take the risk of leadership and we thank them by gladly following.
If you work with a team of people conflict is unavoidable. You had expectations of how something would work and those expectations go unmet. Someone makes an insensitive remark that stings just a little too much. A team member does that thing that drives you absolutely bonkers… again… and again. The temptation is to do one of two things.
There’s an old latin inscription that reads “Nemo vir est qui mundum non reddat meliorem.” To those of you who don’t speak latin that means “What man is a man who does not make the world better?” At Magntize we wonder the same thing about businesses.
Macaroni Grill has their chefs out front so everyone can see their artistry. Certain Japanese grills also make your food right in front of you – complete with knife and fire breathing tricks. The best Starbucks’ baristas spin the caramel bottles and shout out orders as they prepare your coffee. Steve jobs gives his keynote and geeks around the world hold their breath as he zooms in and out on the iPad. A local church youth pastor throws his hands in the air and shouts at the top of his lungs “you MUST be saved!” as dramatic music plays in the background.
If you’re like me, the first thing you do when you get to work in the morning is check email. Nothing morally wrong with this. Most of us do it. However, it’s a surefire way to get distracted by the urgent and miss what’s most important.
The number one unspoken rule at most companies is don’t mess up. I agree that you can’t run a business with a bunch of people screwing up all freaking day. However, I’d suggest we move this rule down a notch or three.
Most organizations start out lean and mean. They’re willing to take risks and try new things. It doesn’t take forever to make decisions or change directions. As the market fluctuates and shifts they’re nimble enough to go with the flow. They’re fighting guerilla warfare style. Inevitably, these organizations grow up though.
Sometimes we think we know what we’re trying to communicate when the reality is we don’t have a clue.
I was chatting with a friend about how this past year I’d noticed the brilliance of the folks around me. They had these insights and moments that were such gold, I would just sit there awestruck.