
I have been doing some reminiscing during this cold winter day in Maine. Some years ago, I read Jack Welch’s book titled “Jack”. One thing that has always stuck with me is this quote: “If the rate of change on the outside exceeds the rate of change on the inside, the end is near.” Jack goes on to say that “Just because a company has been successful in the past does not guarantee continued success.” If he said this two decades ago, what would he tell us today?
We are certainly seeing unprecedented change! But… are we as individuals (and our companies) changing fast enough? While Welch was likely referring to any company, today we need to look at entire industries. Many industries are seeing tremendous change coming from outside their companies but are seeing less change from inside their companies. Let’s think about that for a moment and then refer to Welch’s quote.
I have observed that we are not animals who generally like or frequently seek change. It’s kind of a self-induced insult. Our brains often reject change. Most of us are happy with the way things are, and most are convinced that “things are good so why should we change?” Surely as we go forward, successful people and companies will be those that not only seek change (in themselves and their industries) but also embrace change. Steve Jobs is quoted as saying “Impermanence is the only permanence”.
The other day I ran into a woman I used to work with who seemed a bit stressed. It had been a long time since I last saw her, so I asked how things were going. She responded with a bit of emotion that she just couldn’t seem to get things done. She said she spent way too much time on things that were not important and not enough time doing those things that were important. Fun is not always important, and challenging is not always bad. I have also been guilty of finding time for the unimportant and not properly prioritizing the things that are truly important, but I have come to believe that “prioritization” is a skill that needs to be developed. The question is: who can teach this skill? Let each of us look at those standing on our shoulders. Is this a conversation that we might have with them? If they are indeed standing on our shoulders, we owe them this conversation as someone they look up to, learn from, or yes, work for.
“Want to keep employees,” build the culture they need. Countless employees are leaving jobs to find workplaces with leader-led cultures that offer support, growth opportunities, and engagement,” writes Larry Robertson. "Without culture as the central strategic priority and imperative, those workers are done working for you," Robertson writes.
Many of us listen but do not hear; we are watchers but really don’t see. Once we hear and see, we can then transition into being doers, doing the right things and leading, which will lead to great things.
“It's not the load that breaks you down. It's the way you carry it.”
Lou Holtz, former football player, coach, and analyst


Comments