Raising the Undiscussables LO9174

pbm8@tutor.open.ac.uk
Fri, 16 Aug 96 14:47:18 BST

Replying to LO9117 --

Debbie Broome posted the following:

> What I have found is that SOME of my counterparts in senior management
> think I am crazy and continually tell me that something can't be done.
> Those are fighting words. This list helps me stay energized and
> affirms that I am on the right track.

Happy are those who feel they are on the right track! For me the
energising feature of this list is that it so often challenges "the way I
do things round here" and helps me appreciate why some of my counterparts
in senior management think that I'm crazy.

When studying for my MBA I was asked to describe my organisation in terms
of metaphor. My description was this:

"The curtain rises on a tug of war contest. The two teams pulling against
each other represent the central services units of the organisation versus
the "front-line" directorates. It is obvious that the contest has been
going on for a long time, but neither side has made much of an impact.
Many of the contestants are old and enfeebled by their long struggle,
others are lying exhausted on the ground. Younger replacements await
eagerly in the wings to take their place at the gaps which have appeared
in the team. Some are called, but many places still remain vacant. Some
potential replacements look frustrated. The audience is obviously bored
and there are many empty seats in the theatre."

As one who has had his time pulling on the rope (sometimes on this side,
sometimes on the other), I begin to understand how wary are the senior
managers of anyone who comes up with ideas on how to "finish the contest"
or "lets change the game from a tug of war to....". I do not condone their
actions but I think I understand why they think me crazy. I'm still
struggling to find a way for all the combatants to put down the rope and
take up a different challenge. The LO offers hope. The LO list offers
inspiration. Debbie don't be too harsh on us older rope pullers! Some will
envy your drive as it reminds them of their younger days. Some give you
the warning in the belief that they better understand the culture in which
you strive to make your impact and have seen many like you become
frustrated at an inability to optimise the change. Others protect their
power positions and may not want to see you achieve. Some will do all they
can to champion your cause.

- --

Paul Murphy
pbm8@cosy.open.ac.uk
"They are poor explorers who think there is no
land when all they can see is sea"

-- 

pbm8@tutor.open.ac.uk

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