Reading: Chapter 4: Confront the Brutal Facts (Yet Never Lose Faith)
Assignment - Deadline:
Monday, August 25
A. Post two paragraphs
inspired by one or more of the study guide questions/thoughts for the week.
B. Post two separate
comments to one or more of your colleagues reacting to their
paragraphs.
Questions – Confront the
Brutal Facts (Yet Never Lose Faith)
- Which side of
the Stockdale Paradox is harder for you: unwavering faith or confront the
brutal facts? Why?
- Think of two
environments that you have been in. The first being an environment that
did not confront the brutal facts and where people (and the truth) were
not heard. The second being an environment that did confront the brutal
facts and where people had a tremendous opportunity to be heard. What
accounts for the difference between the two environments? What does the
contrast teach about how to construct an environment where the truth is
heard?
- Do you have
any red-flag mechanisms in your life or organization? What ideas do you
have for new ones?
- In leading a
team, what is your questions to statements ratio?
Source: “Jim Collins – Good to Great: Discussion
Guide.” http://www.jimcollins.com/tools/discussion-guide.html
Concerning “The Stockdale Paradox,” I am having difficult grasping the significance of this concept. Yes, one should have a firm grasp of the current reality of one’s situation, while having faith that one will overcome current challenges. However, in my experience, I’ve learned – “wishing does not make it so.” In other words, if key decision makers in your organization do not share the same concept of reality and move to meet the challenges in a constructive way, then one person will not make a difference. That person would be better served by understanding when it is time to “abandon ship.”
ReplyDeleteI find the red-flag concept an equally troublesome concept. I am currently involved with a college (no – not U-M) with an upper-level administrator who constantly says she wants to hear about any suggestions, which will improve the probability of success for the students. Yet, in the 10+ years I have been associated with this institution, I cannot think of one instance where a faculty recommendation has been taken seriously. Most times, academic decisions are made by those at this college with few, if any years of classroom teaching. Thus, in my experience, the red-flag mechanism only is useful if your superiors are sincere about listening and acting on these indicators.
In regard to the "Stockdale Paradox" unwavering faith as a concept is more difficult for me than confronting the brutal facts. As long as I can remember, I've been one to function on fact-based decision making. Whether something is working or not, generally, facts don't lie. Being able to adjust and adapt to the "brutal" facts of a situation, rather than following my gut blindly, is something that comes more naturally. However, this is not to be mistaken that unwavering faith is not important, because in some situations in life, it is. However, I feel a blend of the two in different capacities can be valuable.
ReplyDeleteAs for the "Red Flag" concept, from a personal and professional aspect, I have always been a strong believer in the "actions speak louder than words" concept. To me, it is important that what people say can be equally matched by what they do. Being able to rely on and trust other people in life is essential to strong relationship building; whether in a work environment or personal relationships.
Amen to your comment about "actions speak louder than words." Talk is "easy," but the ability to follow-through with actions is the true test of a person's credibility. I also believe "trust" is an essential component in any relationship - professional or personal.
ReplyDeleteGood to Great
ReplyDeleteI am in total agreement with Mike. The truth is in the facts and in someone's action. I'm a believer in both methods, but the reliance on either 'method' varies case-by case. I'm a big believer in having a 'coming to Jesus' talk, whether it be with myself or someone I care about, when seeing/believing the truth becomes a challenge. It's a reality check. Helps puts thing into perspective. Not necessarily a religious concept, but if its what works for someone, I support it.
I worked for an organization where a new manager was brought in to oversee our department. After some time, the manager learned the not so 'clear cut' ways of the director and figured out the ramifications of such ways and she quit. She determined working under her leadership was not worth the jeopardization of her licenses or reputation. She told her staff to take heed of what was going on and to act/move accordingly. Our entire department was eventually dissolved and we all moved on to different jobs.