Reading: Chapter 8: The
Flywheel and the Doom Loop
Assignment - Deadline: Friday, November 21. 2014
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 – The Flywheel and the Doom Loop
- Think of two organizations
you've observed: one that followed the flywheel principle, and the other
that fell into the Doom Loop. What caused the difference between the two?
What does your contrast teach about why so many organizations fall into
the Doom Loop, rather than building momentum over the long term in the
flywheel?
- How do you know when it is time
to change the direction of the flywheel?
- If big change programs with
lots of hoopla, tag lines, launch events, motivational meetings—and so
forth—do not lead to greatness, then why are such programs so common? What
should be done instead of these programs?
- How can the flywheel concept
apply to your own life and career?
Source: “Jim Collins
– Good to Great: Discussion Guide.” http://www.jimcollins.com/tools/discussion-guide.html
I chose to address the question how you know when it is time to change the direction of the flywheel. I believe when you are a staff person within a unit of a large organization, it is extremely difficult to know when this should occur. Questions like this usually arise when a new head of the organization is appointing or there is a change in the upper level reporting unit. At that time, unit staff members find they must be able to explain their purpose within the larger organization. Depending how persuasive they are, the new head or reporting unit may decide there is a need for a change in the direction of the flywheel.
ReplyDeleteOf course, if the above situation occurs, it is usually too late for the staff members of the targeted unit to have much control in the future course of that unit. That is why it is as important to be as proactive as possible before conditions get to the point of crisis when perceived remedies may be limited.
I decided to address the question of "How can the flywheel concept apply to your own life and career?"
ReplyDeleteBased on the overall concept of the "Flywheel Effect," I believe as long as you are producing positive results in your professional and personal life, then they flywheel effect is working. When you are no longer able to produce results that are able to energize others (co-workers, friends, family), then it is time to adjust and re-prioritize in order to be as efficient as possible in your professional and personal endeavors.
The Flywheel Effect reminds me of when people say they need to reinvent themselves or something they are working on. When things get "stale" people tend to reboot concepts or move on to something else when they (and others) are no longer able to see or, are energized, by their results.