Thursday
Nov052009
We want more control not less
Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 9:00AM But not of others - of ourselves!
I am more and more convinced that while command and control becomes less effective as a way of getting things done it doesn't mean that things get sloppy. We will all need to exercise more control of ourselves. Of our time, of our knowledge, even of our excesses. This will take more discipline not less but of a different kind. It is something many people will need to learn.
Reader Comments (4)
Euan,
Control and command is not wrong, it is just misused (especially in the past). When facilitating a meeting I start in Gibbon mode (social interaction), move into Eagle (inspirational), then Bee (collaborative) to get the emergent ideas through a safe fail environment based on open dialogue. When summing up and closing, command and control (Lion style) is appropriate to ensure commitments are understood and appropriate decisions are made and validated. Move these metaphoric styles around (eg starting with lion) or not balancing them appropriately then the outcomes are reduced and performance can be worse not better. This highlights what a true leader is about and why diversity of behaviour is essential to success.
Kind regards
Arthur
Tweeting as Metaphorage
That sounds more like a David Attenborough documentary than a meeting Arthur! I was using command and control in its conventional role as short hand for top down, hierarchical, delegated responsibility rather than suggesting it was never appropriate to tell anyone what to do.
I agree with you. From experience.
Inner discipline is the way to true freedom.
Set and follow your own rules or you'll end up following the rules of others.
If you haven't read it already you would enjoy my current reading Nathaniel Branden's The Six Pillars Of Self Esteem.