Where is the Leadership Wisdom? Hiding with Waldo
By Michelle Malay Carter on October 15, 2008
Have you played the game, Where’s Waldo?? The point is to search an incredibly cluttered image and isolate Waldo, who is hiding amongst the debris.?Can you find Waldo in the image to the left?
We Don’t Need More.? We Need Discernment
When it comes to leadership wisdom, it’s a little like Where’s Waldo.? There is more than enough writing on the subject (not as much science based research), but the key is to discern the actual truth and/or wisdom from the clutter.
The Attitude Platitude
So much of what is out there rests upon the premise that we can “think” our way to better organizations.? If everyone just had a better attitude, all our problems would be solved.?
Newsflash:? Systems drive behavior and telegraph values.? If you’ve got issues, examine your systems.?
Micro Solutions Can’t Work without being Combined with a Macro Viewpoint
Back to leadership, the only total systems approach to managerial leadership and organizational structure?I know of is Elliott Jaques’ Requisite Organization.? Although it has been around for 20 years and its roots go back 50, not many have been able to separate it from the clutter.? Why?
Can’t I Just Pop a Pill?
It’s akin to the solution to maintaining a healthy weight – diet, exercise, a healthy lifestyle.? Yes, that will get you the result you want, but it takes discipline and determination.? It requires foregoing a “quick fix” in deference to higher principle.?
Most people continue to experiment with short-term panaceas such as the coffee enema and grapefruit diet plan?rather than systematically redesigning their lifestyle with healthy processes and habits.
Most executives are lining employees up for coffee enemas when an integrated leadership framework design and implementation is what is called for.? Then, they blame their employees for not embracing the enema.
Do You Know Any Geniuses in Your Corner of the World?
In my tiny corner of the management and leadership world, I personally have met two geniuses whose brilliant work goes unnoticed in the clutter, the late Elliott Jaques and Warren Kinston’s work on values and hierarchies?is vast and valuable (pardon the pun).? What a shame.? What a waste.
What Else Is Humanity Being Denied?
I often wonder, if I know two people whose work goes unrecognized but whose work could contribute greatly to society,?how many genius bodies of work go unnoticed in the clutter?? Not just in the leadership field but in all fields.?
What medical developments are being ignored by the mainstream field because they defy the closely held paradigms of the machine?? I’ve mentioned before that I think the fair tax is genius but the US tax industry and our congress have a huge vested interest in seeing it silenced.
A Call for Leadership
Until Executives are willing to put forth the courage, determination, discipline, and resource investment that it takes to forego the short-term Wall Street nod in deference to a truly healthy, sustainable organization, we will continue to see engagement levels at all time lows and a shaky economy.
I’m OK.? You’re OK.? Let’s fix the system.
What are you seeing in your corner of the world?
Filed Under Corporate Values, Executive Leadership, Requisite Organization
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2 Responses to “Where is the Leadership Wisdom? Hiding with Waldo”
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As someone who has seen a great deal of Warren Kinston’s unpublished work, I can tell you that you’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg. TH3EL, when finally emerges into the market, will be revolutionary to those willing to reflect on their problems.
Hi Forrest,
Maybe we should start a new game, Where’s Warren?
Michelle