The Road Ahead (3 of 3) This weeks is dedicated primarily to preparing for Case Interviews. One of the strange things... Read>> Posted January 15, 2008
JUST TALK TO GET THINGS DONE A Follow-Up to Several Things Including My Last Post
Blogs are necessarily brief things and so, even though I am in a rush to class, I'm sitting here at my desk writing away - not because I'm that proud of my thoughts, but because the act of public writing forces me to consider what I really believe, as I am critiqued, humiliated, exhorted, and challenged by friends and acquaintances. So, to pick up where I left off last time, I believe that the Founding Fathers particular path to leading strategic change was very interesting, and perhaps, very relevant to B-School students.
Unlike us, the Framers of our Constitution (oh no not the word "frame" again) were rich, well-known, and well-connected. However, they weren't totally unlike us. They wanted to change the world, but didn't have the support of either America (as a populace) or the British Empire, and they lacked influence in the world's most influential deliberative body - the British Parliament. In this instance, many textbook examples of change would say that they should either:
A. Build an American command structure to proclaim their vision.
B. Use the British structure (take over someone else's system.
C. A third option
In this case, the Founding Fathers used the third option, one which is still available to would-be influencers today, and which was probably more effective than any other attempt would have been.After agreeing on a draft of the Declaration of Independence, the signers of the document had it immediately distributed throughout the country via letterpress copies - sent to all the Churches.
In this way, nearly everyone in America would have a chance to hear the Declaration read aloud in person, and also would have a chance to discuss the topic with everyday folks that they know and trust. In today's world this would be like trying to get a new set of laws enacted by taking your policy to CNN and reading it aloud during prime time. It doesn't fit with our current paradigm for how strategic change generally occurs - because it lacked the critical element of support - any kind of structural underpinnings.
Our current (youthful?) desire to bring the power of "the system" to bear on an issue we are engaged with is natural - and makes for quality class discussions, but sometimes "just talking with people" is the BEST solution. Frameworks, Systems, Structures, etc. only have power if people give it to them (see Locke) so if the people at large are on your side - you win.
Surely there is a balance that must be struck between talking too much and needing to engage the system head-on. But, as the story of the foundation of America tells, in certain cases, in other situations, getting people to talk about your ideas may well be all you need...
Let's get talking! Posted April 22, 2008 agreed!!! Posted by: mandy mr. meyer,
agreed! talking is sometimes the first step. and talking in a language understood by all participants is a huge challenge! keep the discussion alive. i'll try my best to do so, too! Posted 2008-05-05 23:23:44 COMMENT ON THIS POST
