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Managing Change: The Paralysis of Inaction
What’s the Best Path?
strategic planning: innovation: management:success
MOVEMENT HAS IT’S OWN BENEFITS
“I used to think I was indecisive, but now I’m not so sure.” Does this describe your organization and how it deals with change? One could make a pretty compelling argument that General Motors suffered from this type of malaise for decades. Whether it is too little or too late for GM is certainly up for debate. But you have to respect their recent proactive course of action. The former giant is now in the role of the underdog but at least they are doing something. Commitment and execution are excellent attributes to embrace.
“Indecision may or may not be my problem.” -Jimmy Buffett
I heard a story years ago about a mule that was placed in a field with two equally attractive piles of hay on each side of him. Unable to decide on which heap of nutrition was most attractive, the mule instead died of starvation. Faced with a similar dilemma many a teenage boy has spent his prom night alone because he waited too long to decide which cute girl he wanted to invite. Inaction it seems is not a very productive decision.
Yogi Berra expresses the task well: “When you come to the fork in the road, take it”. Our collective challenge is to do something and do it with commitment. There is a fine line between a healthy analysis of a situation and the fear of making a decision. It’s your call!
Business like life consists of many decisions but that is what gives life its rich and dynamic nature. The process of living is a call to action. Just Do It!
Greg Pashke , CMC is President of Pashke Consulting and provides business mentoring, strategic and tactical planning, and financial modeling services. Greg is a big proponent of The One Page Plan approach to managing the day to day performance of an organization. He is committed to continuous learning and skill development. Greg’s mantra is “to get a lot done & have a lot of fun”.
Website: http://www.pashkeconsulting.com/
Tags: change, decision making, inaction, just do it, movement, paralysis
March 27th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
For me it's usually petrified by perfect choices. They all seem good so which one to take. I think fear often the underling factor. Fear of failure. Or fear of stepping out of our comfort zone.
I love that Yogi Berra quote is a great one as is that Ballance’s Law of Relativity.
But you're right, Just do it.
Thanks,
Harold
SellMoreMeals.com
March 27th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Harold:
Thanks for the comments. I love Yogi's expressions. They make you smile, laugh and see the whimsical side of life. He's a national treasure.
Good luck with your decisions and we hope you continue to visit Thinking Big Works.
March 29th, 2009 at 5:09 am
Greg;
Have you read Barry Schwartz "The Paradox of Choice"? Good insight into why it happens. And GM is a GREAT example.
Nice job.
March 29th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Bart:
Thanks for the tip about Barry Schwarttz and thanks for visiting Thinking Big Works. And by the way you look great in the hard hat photo on Twitter.
March 31st, 2009 at 11:51 pm
What can be made of this debacle called General Motors? Will they survive or wont they? Will saving GM save Jobs?