Here is a test, a maxim and a principle to guide you on your way.
1: The Dick Gregory Better Mousetrap test
“When you’ve got something really good, you don’t have to force it on people. They will steal it!”
Dick Gregory
Mr Gregory tells it like it is
That’s the difference between pull and push right there. Don’t blame others because they are ignoring your stuff, whatever it is. Policies, databases, rules, products, meetings, you. If they are not stealing it from you, you haven’t made it good enough yet. This is your problem not theirs. Thanks Mr Gregory!
2: The EL Doctorow Emergent Strategy Maxim
“It’s like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but you make the whole trip that way.”
EL Doctorow
Why real change is emergent, and why it doesn’t matter. Exactamundo Mr Doctorow!
3: The FlowChain No Short Cuts Principle.
“Culture is a read only attribute. You cannot affect it directly.”
Bob Marshall
Why culture is an effect, not something that can be grafted on. Behaving otherwise is like putting on shorts, shades and sandals and expecting the sun to come out. Wrong way round, cries Bob!
Here’s a quote that contradicts Dick Gregory:
“Don’t worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good you’ll have to ram them down people’s throats.” – Howard Aiken
May be both are true, depending on the particular circumstances?
I always enjoy your posts, TP. Best wishes from Bristol.
Jack
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Perhaps it doesnt matter how good they are, they have to be good to other people?
I’m reading a book called “Words that work: it’s not what you say, it’s what other people hear”, and it is telling me a lot about this kind of thing. That things will only stick when pulled, and things are only pulled if people want to pull.
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