Dated ideas masquerading as strategy
You can’t make this stuff up
Hi there – Brian here
It’s April fools’ day and tempting to write about something silly as if it were true.
Then, in looking at daily media stories around the world, I realized that we already have plenty of that happening now.
It’s like the new normal.
As the pressure comes on, we’re seeing individuals and organizations withdrawing into their comfort zone.
Or doubling down on what is not working, in anticipation of achieving a different outcome.
There is a lot of volatility in global markets. And it will continue.
Some of the decisions from the new US administration are hard to fathom, but they’re not all bad.
There are lots of dire predictions peddling fear. But they may or may not eventuate.
The people and organizations that will find it hardest to survive are those who are unwilling to consider different ideas and strategies.
They won’t see the opportunities that are popping up from the current turbulence.
Worse, they will think they can hold back the tide, marching on resolutely with their old ideology and plans clutched tightly in hand.
Yes, we should all be re-crafting our strategy now. And frequently repeating the process as things change rapidly around us.
Most organizations I speak with are still watching what is unfolding and making some tweaks to their plans and services.
Watching is quite a good approach in periods of uncertainty. However, at some point soon, you will need to decide and act.
The ability to let go of past ideas that are now outdated and even damaging will define the difference between the winners and losers. It’s more than incremental learning.
It’s called leadership.
Yet we see organizations persisting with flawed strategies like hiring people on criteria other than merit. And genuinely believing things are going to turn out better in the future.
I wouldn’t buy shares in the future of those companies as they morph into sitting ducks.
Conditions for businesses will get tougher and meaner in the competitive landscape unfolding in front of industries today.
It means focusing unapologetically on what matters most.
Business and industry associations are seeing radical changes happening at warp speed for their members and industries.
It is a staggering period of disruption and uncertainty.
On the upside, it is a golden opportunity for high performance industry institutions to step up and engage members and share quality information and ideas and that will help them make better decisions faster.
I don’t mean advise members what they should do individually.
I mean help them see facts from fiction, good ideas from silly ones and trends from hype. Most importantly, associations can connect more businesses with each other in new ways to help speed better decisions about their trajectory.
Yet many are continuing as if it’s business as usual.
Locally, we see Chinese spy ships lurking around coastlines and their government playing a long game to exert power and influence in the region.
All the while, businesses from the smallest to the largest in neighboring pacific countries are struggling to survive and thrive.
In response, students in poverty-stricken Papua New Guinea are being ‘strongly encouraged’ by the Australian government to apply for taxpayer funded scholarships to study climate change, gender studies and disability policy.
Whereas we know that agriculture, medicine and education are far more likely to trigger sustained and substantial economic benefits at scale. Now that’s how to have real influence.
You just can’t make this stuff up.
On this April Fool’s Day, take a moment to observe the behaviors in your organization, your industry and government policies, regulations and decisions.
Notice where dated ideas and thinking is masquerading as intelligent ways to invest your time and money.
What are some of the dumbest things you’re seeing?
Until next week
Insights from others…
“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.’ - George Carlin
“Many wise words are spoken in jest, but they don't compare with the number of stupid words spoken in earnest.” - Sam Levenson