I had a friend who was an exec in a large firm. His easy way out of any decision was to just say no. It wasn't about Nancy Reagan, it was about being just plain lazy. It was easier to say no than to consider the situation, apply intelligent problem solving methods and come up with a practical solution for change. I recently read an article that described him exactly. Read it here.
NO or it's close relative "inaction" is simply gutlessness or sometimes simple laziness. A friend I had long ago in the ministry when he wanted to table something (say no) couldn't bring himself to disappoint people so he would just say, "I'll pray about it". We all came to understand that meant NO.
We loved him but his inaction cost him in ministry. He hated to deal with difficulty. I was in leadership in the church and often would push him to make a decision that would empower those who could get things done. He lived under the illusion that if he just said, "I'll pray about it" that things might get better. They never did.
So we lurched from crisis to crisis, never making adjustments or decisions. The Church never grew or adapted. I left the church after some problems developed in his marriage. Couldn't say no I guess.
Becoming an executive, a leader, a pastor sometimes the system rewards inaction and a lack of courage. If you never stick your neck out you no one can cut your head off. If you do nothing there is nothing to criticize. I guess no one ever kicks a dead dog. That’s what this really is, leadership death.
I am of a differing bent. I will use a baseball bat sometimes to get action. I can border on the brutal. But, things happen. Many are good. Change takes place. People whine but net results are what count. I let those who like to appease and say no sit on the sidelines. They can mop up after the victory and take the credit. I don’t care.
Kind of like Da Bears yesterday. I would rather have players who reached out, tried, did what they could and fell on the field of battle than 100 nay sayers who were on talk radio after the game telling about how Quarterback Rex Grossman throws off the back of his heels and doesn't lean in when he throws. The ball sails.
OK, hotshot. Do something. You don't have to get on the field, make some constructive direction. Go to Lovie. Tell Rex. Don't bitch about it on the radio.
NO-MONGERS, INACTION ADDICTS, SIDELINE CRITICS.
Laziness. Not worthy of being called a leader.
Winston Churchhill was my kind of Guy. Of course he lost the election after he won the war. But, he’s my hero. Principled, man of action, gutsy, didn't always win but always fought the good fight. I don't always win right away, but I'll play till I do. I've got more staying power than my opposition.
Nevah, Nevah give up. Fight On!
3 comments:
Here's an interesting post from Seth Godin... it asks a really good question: Are you too edgy or too boring? Take a gander at this; notice his statement about churches. Do you agree? And on which end of the scale are you?
Every month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks “mass layoffs.” That’s the term for more than 50 people losing their jobs at once. In August of this year, the total number of people hit by a mass layoff was 127,944. The number has been more than 100,000 every month except for one in the last decade.
And that doesn’t count small companies, smaller lay offs, non-profits and other ventures that don’t show up on the radar. The actual number has to be at least ten times as big--at least a million a month is my guess .
Compare that to the tiny number of people who get fired for attempting to do something great.
Sure, Carly got fired. But thousands at HP got laid off. She lost her job for challenging the status quo. They got canned for embracing it.
Sure, that crazy copywriter on the 11th floor got fired for attempting a viral blog-based campaign that backfired, but it’s nothing compared to the entire department that lost their jobs because there just wasn’t enough business.
At least once a day, I get mail from people worrying that if they are too remarkable, too edgy, too willing to cause change and growth… they’re risking getting fired. I almost never get mail from people who figure that if they keep doing the same boring thing day in and day out at their fading company that they’re going to lose their jobs in a layoff.
50 ad agencies lose accounts for being boring, static and unprofitable for every one that gets fired for being remarkable.
50 churchgoers switch to a new congregation because of a boring or uncaring leader for every one that leaves because she was offended by a new way of thinking.
50 employees lose their jobs because the business just faded away for every one who is singled out and fired for violating a silly policy and taking care of a customer first.
50 readers stop visiting your blog (or your site or your magazine or your TV show) because you’re stuck in a rut and scared for every one who leaves because you have the guts to change the format or challenge the conventional wisdom.
wadda ya do when your employer hires you to do a job because youre great at it, changes their mind after youre there because its not the way they would do it, and then does everything to keep you from doing it? What the heck did they hire you for anyway?
So do you suck it up, do what you should, get fired or wuit?
Just another reason why im glad im self employed!
The Dems be back. How can Jesus let this happen? Why has he forsaken you? Maybe the Rapture date has been pushed back again. Looks like you were left behind with us. Sorry to bother coming back again Gene, but it was hard to resist!
Much Love,
The Heretic
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