Honesty, A Weapon of Change!
09/30/02
Margaret Heffernan, former CEO at CMGI, makes a strong case for truth telling as agents of change: "There is no more powerful weapon for change than honesty. ... Honesty has a way of releasing energy, the kind of energy that business desperately needs to embrace. Time after time, I've witnessed the paralysis that sets in when people are afraid to tell each other the truth. ... I've seen deals hang in midair, because no one had the honesty to say out loud what everyone was thinking privately: 'This is really stupid' and 'It will never work.' And, so millions of dollars and countless hours of work hover somewhere between intent and execution, with people in the know hoping that the whole mess will simply go away, but remaining unwilling to address the problem head on. Everyone I've spoken with on this matter...knows exactly what I am talking about when I describe the awkward silence that sets in at corporate meetings when it becomes clear that the emperor has no clothes. Isn't that the most plausible explanation for what went on at Enron? The problem isn't that we don't know the truth. The problem is that we're afraid to speak the truth."
Truth telling can be a "weapon of change." The earlier the truth is told, the less likely it appears as a weapon, and the more likely it can serve as a shepherd's crook that can nudge people in the right direction. Most people want to do what is right, but often feel that they are alone in their doubts and concerns about an established course of action. As a result, hidden problems become bigger problems. Big problems have a way of creating a crisis and making truth the sword that delivers the final blow. Big problems may create change but they often generate costly changes when organizations have neither the money, resources or time to make change work well.
As a leader, what are you doing to make sure your people are comfortable letting you know that "the emperor has no clothes?" What are you doing to honor and protect your truth tellers? Research shows that when a leader or authority figure prompts people to share their honest feedback, people are more likely to share their unique concerns and suggestions. We also know that when one person on your team is assertive enough to address a problem, others will be freed to join them. Instead of working to get early agreement, ask people you respect to publicly address their concern in your meetings. Few naked emperors are known for saying, "This is too important a decision for us to risk not surfacing any healthy disagreement. I want you to be prepared to state a couple of your concerns to see if others feel the same way." This will help you make sure that when your people know the truth, you are not the last to know.
MONDAY'S MIRTHFUL MOMENT
Today's mirthful moment of puns from Art Gliner was forwarded to us by my good friend and colleague, George Morrisey. If you enjoy puns, read on and groan!
1. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like an apple.
2. In democracy it's your vote that counts. In feudalism it's your count that votes.
3. A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.
4. If you don't pay your exorcist, you get repossessed.
5. The man who fell into an upholstery machine is now fully recovered.
6. A lot of money is tainted. It taint yours and it taint mine.
7. A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat.
When you keep your eyes open for mirth, you just may find it! Hope this kicks off your morning and helps get your mood adjusted for the week. Now, get busy MAKING CHANGE WORK and have some fun along the way!...