Who Me?
‘Experts’ tell us that some issues are beyond the mental reach of the ‘rest of us mere mortals’. That opens the door for ’some others’ to act in our stead – and perhaps against our best interests. Even those ‘in-the-know’ really know that every global issue is comprised of regional and local and group-think issues – and that the root cause of it all goes ‘all the way to the bone’ (of individual thinking).
More respectful leaders of ‘change’ like Rosabeth Moss Kanter invite all of us to realize that “When everyone else suffers from over-complexity, there is a market for products and services that simplify life.” -(see “Simplicity: The Next Big Thing“).
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler. Albert Einstein, (attributed) US (German-born) physicist (1879)
Obvious (unstated) problem: ‘How simple can we make it?’. (Un?)fortunately I was introduced to database design and the need to ‘normalize’ things that were to then be collected and searched for inference and new insight. Perhaps we could apply a modicum of those design constructs to our re-design efforts to simplify our thinking – improve results.
Paul Glen, author of the book “Leading Geeks: How to Manage and Lead People Who Deliver Technology” shares his expert insight this way in a post on TechRepublic – “Monitor Project Progress with Micro-deliverables“. He suggests four simple principles to normalize-formalize-manage the process.
“When you plan for micro-deliverables, each person on a project has responsibility for some physical product every few days…gauge the health of the project by checking whether the micro-deliverables are done or not (and)…there are a few simple rules to follow:
•Never let anyone go longer than a week without owing a micro-deliverable.
•Micro-deliverables are either done or not done… 100% complete, or they are 0%.
•Progress is not measured in effort, but…micro-deliverables-done on time or not.
•A micro-deliverable is the responsibility of only one person.
Using these simple rules, you can begin to identify project problems quickly and accurately avoiding the surprises that are otherwise all too common.”
Seems overwhelming when ‘experts’ ask us how we could ever “eat a whole elephant”. But what if bit-by-bit, WE each made incremental “change-it” contributions to that looming (“mother-of-all…”?) CRISIS? And, what if those charged with solving our BIG problems took advantage of the insight – and the micro-resource that we can each become to them? What would happen if “WE the PEOPLE” were actually ACKNOWLEDGED by our representatives for our diverse KNOWLEDGE, our opinions actually considered, and our convergent consensus actually implemented? What if those representatives were accountable for their mico-deliverables (like LINE ITEMS) – unable to hide their responsibility for… irresponsible legislation ‘PACKAGES’. What if WE each took personal responsibility, and then held each other accountable as well? Suddenly our representation looks more equitable and perhaps the ‘elephant’ looks more ‘palatable’. Not surprisingly, whether ‘expert’ or novice:
We probably won’t BELIEVE in ‘change’
- until we believe we actually SEE change.
If we all seek those type ‘answers’ – toward simplifying our lives (locale) and enjoying the developing ‘Relationship Economy’ (global) – then there must be ‘simple questions’ by which those ’simple answers’ can of course be found.
Instead, we are often busy seeking ways to BE HEARD in more sound-bytes, promos, marketing, more photo-ops, Congressional ‘hearings’ – rather than LISTENING.
And if listening for the best answers is the better approach, shouldn’t we be seeking the BEST ‘questions’ (like that one for instance)?
So far, it looks like a ‘SIMPLE SIX’ might work. Perhaps that’s still too complicated – but then that’s the ‘final’ question? – Or Is It..?
Want real cooperation, progress, CHANGE ? – Dare to ASK4™ it…?
Some (as noted on the 
