Wisdom is defined by dictionary.com as the following:
1. the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.
2. scholarly knowledge or learning: the wisdom of the schools.
3. wise sayings or teachings; precepts.
There are many things I appreciate or learn from others that I find to be wisdom. What may be wisdom to me may not be the same to others. That is because what is insightful varies based on perspective and experience. If I were to receive the same advice as I heard recently during a radically different phase of my life, I may not find it interesting or valuable. In recollection though, I have found that old wisdom still rings true when I place myself back in the mindset and position I was in.
I’ve compiled a short list of phrases or sayings that I have found to be astute and helpful that applies to the context of the Organizational Strategist. These may be from famous sources, but they are currently unknown to me. I hope you find them to be valuable in your own way.
Words create worlds – I heard this saying in regards to appreciative inquiry designs and dialogues. The words that are chosen to create inquiry, start and intervention, or bring about new thought signal what is to come. The core design of a question is the harbinger of what will come from the response. Choose your words with care and thought to bring about new ideas and actions.
Distinction in strategy is powerful – Strategy is the alignment of capabilities and resources to win in a market. If the mix of capabilities and resources create a unique approach, it becomes more difficult to duplicate or substitute. This makes them more appealing, interesting, and sustainable over time. This differentiation is often a core element of many of the most influential strategies.
Health comes before strategy – While devising and implementing strategy are vitally important to the success of an organization, health can be more important. If an organization is very unhealthy, it will not matter if the strategy is magnificently planned because people are what make strategy effective. Having a healthy and productive organization is the foundation that long term strategy needs to build on.
Strategy wins over culture – Strategy is mean to be the alignment of ALL the applicable capabilities and resources in an organization to win in its market. That would include the behavior and activity that happens among the people within the organization. The culture of an organization is often an important element in victory or defeat. Due to that, successful strategies should pay heed to the importance of culture and how it enables or disables the effectiveness of strategy.
Culture change starts via stories and examples – The culture of an organization is grown and cultivated over time. It is not a simple level to switch or dial to spin. What initiates culture change is vision, storytelling, leadership, and guiding principles for others to take ahold of and build upon.
People act on what is measured and tracked – Aspirational statements and visions do not have direct impact to people unless it falls within their power and ability to act upon. People may be well intentioned and give extra effort, but if they are not contributing to the core metrics of an organization, they will not be as effective. As a result of that, key performance indicators (KPIs) and tracking form the basis of what is most important in an organization. If it is measured and tracked where people are held accountable to those qualitative or quantitative results, it will be more important for those people to act upon.
Innovation should be protected and incubated – Innovation by its core nature involves ideas and trying something new or different. The more a company has a drive for delivery, the further detached the innovation should become. That enables more freedom in thinking and the ability to experiment.
Do not try to apply lean principles to innovation – Like the above point, innovation involves creativity. Lean, Six Sigma, CMMI and other mechanisms for process improvement do very well for maturing processes. However, they should not be imposed on new processes and ideas as they can stifle the possibilities that can emerge.
Every change is an opportunity – Whether change is occurring because something good or bad is expected to happen, treat the approach as a new opportunity. By thinking openly, the solutions to challenges, problems, or goals can lead to far better results than the anticipated return to a status quo.
People do not inherently resist change, but they do resist being changed – Much like taxes, change is a constant force in everyone’s lives. It may be slower or faster, dramatic or gradual, positive or negative or other elements. Change is something we all exposed to and happens whether or not we are ready for it. Yet, when we plan, understand, and welcome change it can be embraced and boosting. If we fight it, then it becomes a battle or a war. The important point is that inspiring others to buy-in to change makes it so they accept it.
If you have thoughts to share on these sayings or other ones that have been valuable to you, share them here! I am sure to not be the only one who would enjoy the conversation and learning.
The Organizational Strategist 