WOOPS! HERE WE GO AGAIN
D. Duane Jacobs
PREFACE
A variety of how-to organization books have been written over the past century. Some have even been read and of those, a few have actually been used to make changes, which have improved the relationship between management and labor. Some writers have interesting perspectives and associated theories that provide a knothole view of the thinking of some management and why they think and do the things they do. Woops! Here we go Again, is a view of organization life from another perspective. If you turn the organizational pyramid upside down it makes for an interesting view. A view that it not particularly pleasant for management, but might be helpful as reorganization, down-sizing, retreading, closings, and out-right failures in business tend to be a staple of in the world wide economic sector. No need to be alarmed. There is nothing in this writing that you haven’t thought of. In fact, some of the ideas are built into the basics of how you perceive management to operate. So, just relax and go for a nice read with me and see if it is possible to create a communication that incorporates universal understandings.
Over the years I have shared a presentation entitled, PMA. Traditional interpretations of that acronym have it sharing the theme, Positive Mental Attitude, which I believe is one of the most important verbiages each of us can play out as we attempt to live life to the fullest. My presentation, however, shares another interpretation of PMA—Please Make Adjustments. The experiences of many who have gone through repeated organizational changes are generally not positive. The scenarios all start the same. Some cataclysmic experience attaches to their lives and they are left to sink or swim, depending on their tenacity. The following story is my attempt to go one step further and hopefully, share another dimension. This added dimension might help in understanding the job each of us struggles with; namely, redefining and making changes in our everyday roles as we attempt to fit new organizational plans into our lives and working environments. Woops! It is a view of organization and its changing methodologies from the observations of one in the trenches. It attempts to follow two different scenarios. One in which management perceives its role to be that of director and the other in which management becomes facilitator.
CHAPTER ONE
Comparisons have been used in contemporary organizational writings, which attempt to relegate workers to poor little creatures with thinking capacities in the same level as mice. The comparison subordinates their perception to that of well intentioned, non descript parts of the masses, very similar to the creatures in a school of fish being rounded up by larger prey for virtual elimination – fat and happy to the slaughter house, where they achieve their ultimate usefulness. I have chosen to make other assumptions and they are spelled out in the list of parameters Virgo, a bright, young member of management creates in the following story. This list of values is representative of the qualities I have ascribed to all humans in working class environments.
In some comparisons labor seems to be modeled after military, non-commissioned personnel – the rank and file soldier, with striking contrasts when compared to those in authority, or the officers who are part of the benevolent leadership, or thinking groups. In yet another scenario, some writers and organizational specialists appear to consider the officer corp. and the enlisted ranks of the military as two, or more social caste levels. Who’s to know? We can leave that debate for another day and writing, or discussion. My purpose is to show that, regardless of the intended spin others have put on the current direction of organizational behavior, significant good can come from considering an organizational model that embodies the belief structure suggested for the little people and the mousses.
In an attempt to show that in any manmade line of demarcation between management and labor, royalty and serfs, or any other contrived definitional distinction. and any other humans more than one alternative may exist; consequently, more than one conclusion can be reached. By putting another layer of figures in the equation I have provided different logic and conclusions for management and all levels of the organization. The primary distinction between the scenarios is the appreciation, or lack thereof of value attributed to each person in the organization.
CHAPTER TWO
Can and Do were busily going around banging into walls of a labyrinth they had voluntarily entered years before. They had been productive workers for several years but recent economic turns and poor management practices had created an environment in which they were no longer employed. They were still capable of doing the jobs they had been hired for all those years ago. The only problem was that management had not kept up with current technology and other technical practices Can and Do were not qualified to do the jobs that had replaced theirs. They had been let go in the latest downsizing and they were really unhappy. They spent the majority of each day doing the wall banging and hurting themselves, generally becoming more confused, frustrated, and non-productive than ever. They spent a great amount of time in this self-destructive dilemma and were getting really tired and kind of disappointed because their security had been shattered, their unemployment was about to run out and they really had no place to go, or any way to take care of themselves in the future. Interestingly, at about the moment they had lost all hope, and quite as if by magic, they found a new labyrinth where they could work, after considerable retraining at the expense of the benevolent government, and could once, again, feel a sense of pride, pay their bills and be productive.
Gee and Whiz worked for the same labyrinth and had also been released from employment. Both Gee and Whiz were part of middle management and were no better trained in modern management warfare than Can and Do. What could they do? They had been given non-productive, dead-end jobs that did not provide them with any semblance of dignity, or feeling of self worth, so they had both decided that they would take the “out” the labyrinth had been plying them with and go elsewhere. They had made the plunge and here they were. They had spent enormous amount of time being angry, frustrated and starving through a prolonged period of maintenance in a pity potty state. Eventually, Gee started looking for ways he could become productive again and made use of Positive Mental Attitude theory. Putting his best foot forward, he decided that he did have something to offer the world and that he should, could and would step out of the dark and eventually achieve a few crumbs of personal success. He used his innate logic and all of the education and training he had accumulated over the years. He used the network of friends and associates he had acquired over many years and through the myriad of times the GungHoites had determined that it was time for change. He had successfully dodged the axe each of the previous times because he was younger and more able to adapt to the changes that were perceived to be needed. He did get out. He did find new horizons by starting a new organization and actually helped many who had been zapped as he had. Whiz, on the other had, after all the theorizing and ranting, simply curled up in the fetal position and mentally died, leaving bitterness and self-doubt rampant. Gee had gone back into the labyrinth to find him, but by the time Gee got to Whiz, there was simply nothing left but memories of what could have been, if only. . .?
In the meantime, Gung and Ho, who were very large people, looked in from above, kind of like psuedo gods, having the power to help, but choosing to allow their puppet-like friends to languish in self-doubt and disbelief. GungHoite theory was simple and pure. Gee, Whiz, Can and Do deserved what they got. They weren’t productive and they were bringing down the entire playing field with their whining and lack luster performances. Each player was simply expendable. Sure, some were team players that had worked long years for the Labyrinth, while others were relative newcomers, some only working as part-timers. Regardless, each could probably have achieved much more if they had put their mind to it, so perhaps this will serve as a good hard lesson to them that they simply need to be smarter, more motivated, and have more luck than they have had in the past and then they can move up to higher levels in some other labyrinth and not get so complacent. Those that were able to relocate and bring their lives back in tack could become a little bit better professionally, but certainly not anywhere near the exalted level of the GungHoites. Those who were old, tired, or lacked the tools to re-achieve their former capacity to have any success would simply have become obsolete.
Gung and Ho were sitting around feasting on their successes when a lesser, but still large (in the category thereof) member of the ruling class, Virgo, made a startling and, truthfully, politically incorrect statement. Kind of siding up to Gung he said, “Long, long ago when I was first being fitted for my overly large shoes, I looked down in the labyrinth and saw a scene very similar to the one we have been witnessing. People were struggling. Some were very lazy. Some had not kept their skills up to date and others had terminal lethargy. Then she really got brave and told of her marvelous research. She asked her major mentor if I might try a simple experiment. She was given permission and used these statements as the parameters for her study. Virgo’s thesis was to determine if there was significant difference in the results between her study and the protocols that had been tradition for these many years. We are results driven, you recall, noted, so it will be good to see if there is another way through which we can achieve a more positive result. Not being terribly motivated to listen, Gung and Ho had patiently nodded as Virgo went on.
She had created an underground chat line with the labyrinth people as part of some research and had saved a record of some of the communication. She had been so bold as to actually create two-way communication with them and got them to share their perceptions. The informal leader; thus, the communicator for the little people, slipped a list of labyrinthish principles in the last communication they had had and noting that they did not all adhere to these principles; rather they were more of a creed through which they attempted to live to the fullest of their potential. The list she was preparing for this segment of her research was partly from this wrapping from the labyrinth. Musing, she thought to herself how peculiar it was, that these little people could actually think. She knew that they were very intelligent, but for them to actually think and create rational, logical plans actually put them in a sphere that was not much different from the one from which she hailed; that of the Gung Hoites. As fascinating as these thoughts were, she quickly brushed them aside, and realizing that if she ruminated on them too long, she would bias her research; thus, minimizing her potential to show Gung and Ho how ready she was to move up the ladder of succession. She listed these strange assumptions as part of her experiment.
There appears to be several groups of labyrinthites from different genesis; however, they have much in common. According to the chat notes she had received, they all share these common characteristics, to some degree. They:
- Attempt to do those things that are in the best interests of the labyrinthites.
- Consider the people to be the reason the labyrinth has value
- Have a need for recognition for work accomplished as well as for their potential contributions
- Believe each person has unique potential.
- Believes in being patient, kind, humorous, courageous, curious, imaginative, frugal, sharing, honest, understanding, and dedicated.
- Believe each person is capable of achieving financial stability sufficient to provide for his/her personal and/or families needs
- Understand that each person is lovable, capable, and worthy of being compensated for the functions he/she performs.
- Each person has the capacity to change; thus, being adaptable to the current environment.
- Finally, a curious element which was not directly translatable to the logic of Gung and Ho, something about being tenacious and long serving, thus transcending change for change sake. Virgo had observed this phenomenon first hand as she visited the lower kingdom, but was still unable to understand what was meant by phrases like, “I was here long before they were in charge and I will be here to straighten out their messes after they leave.” The research was hers to develop and she would leave this unsettling note in just to see where it took her. Surely, the Labyrinthites didn’t think that Gung and Ho’s word was not to be taken as the ultimate in lasting truth!
As Virgo attempted to relax in her suite after work, couldn’t help but muse over the interesting, but unsettling beginnings of her research. She finally dozed off after hours of turmoil fading into deep sleep with the thought pressing heavily on her mind that it was highly possible that her thesis would be disproved and that would not be good for her rather lofty aspirations in the world of Gung and Ho. She sighed. My gosh! Surely the Labyrinthites had gone to far in their thinking and had begun to actually believe they were as important as the Gung Hoites, who, after all, were big people who were much more important than these subordinates.
She bounded out of bed after a less than successful attempt at a good night’s rest. Oh, well, she thought to herself as she began her morning preparations for the workday. There is only one way to disprove this incredible fabrication. Put it to the test. Empirical evidence will quash these notions in a large GungHoites second, Virgo thought confidently, as she excitedly began her research project in earnest.
Virgo used the original observations of the Labyrinthites as her baseline and created a set of very specific change agents so she could clearly prove her thesis that, in fact, these underlings were not capable of higher order, dispelling the notion, once and for all, that logic, manipulation, and rational thinking were for the GungHoites and should never again, be considered as an element understandable by the Labyrinthites.
Virgo went down into the depth of the Labyrinth. She made detailed plans for her ascension into the labyrinth. She brought her preliminary data, definitions and other research tools with her.
The first thing she saw as she made her descent and came directly in contact with the Labrinthites was that they were very much like the GungHoites in appearance. There was a very delightful array of diversity represented among the people and each group had its unique characteristics. There was one thing that struck Virgo with a powerful blow to her intellectually superior mind. These people, for all intents and purposes, were virtually identical to the GungHoites. Some assumptions made over the years that they were tiny in stature and mousy in perspective and mind were simply not evident in any way. They greeted her with respect and encouraged her to participate in their social activities. How odd. She would include these observations findings in her preliminary findings, then go on to prove her thesis.
Her plan was simple. She would simply create a “What if?” scenario. She would recreate history, incorporating selected items to be tested from the list she had formed after her communication with the Labyrinthites.
CHAPTER THREE
The lives of the Labryinthites had been difficult, but relatively free of anxiety since the last change. There was never anything left over to set aside for the future and with prices rising faster than income, things kept about the same year after year. Then they began to hear murmuring from the GungHoites, again. Periodically, the GungHoites would determine that things should be different. There was never a good definition handed down as to what that meant. All the Labrynthites knew was that things would change and that many would be put out of the labyrinth to survive, either successfully, or wandering off in oblivion.
During the last “change”, the GungHoites, who had been rather strident about their efforts had been portrayed as having a “Cop” mentality. That is, they made sure everything was orderly, but not necessarily up to speed in relation to their competition. Things had become a bit rusty and there were certainly some Labyrinthites that had not been carrying their share of the load. Virgo noted in her research, again, that diversity of thought and mind prevailed and that no two Labyrinthites were the same. The last big change had brought about some catastrophic results. The GungHoites had made significant communication links with the more superior Labyrinthies and had, in fact communicated with everyone asking for suggestions and inputs that would help in making the “change”.
Virgo knew that the GungHoites were looking for ways to show that the Labyrinthites had been instrumental, had had “ownership” of these changes that were about to take effect. If fact, Gung had often noted in his comments to lesser GungHoites that it was important to get “buy-in” so that the effects on those left would be minimized. In Casual conversation with some of the Labyrinthite elders, Virgo found that this effort had quite the opposite effect on the Labyrinthite. If it wasn’t so serious, it would be comical note one brave worker. “ I would like, just once, to have an opportunity to build our future through a team approach, with the GungHoites becoming advocates, enabling the Labyrinth to achieve its potential by using its most prized resource – the Labyrinthites themselves. Another Labyrinth elder calmed the other by bringing his myriad years of experience to the table, noting that, “this ‘change’ will also pass.” “When the GungHoites become bored and go on to other things, we will be here to pick up the pieces and try to get back to the business of ensuring the proper performance of the Labyrinth.” This wasn’t, at all, what the GungHoites would want to see in Virgo’s report, but she wanted to make it as comprehensive as possible. Perhaps, they would forgive her for putting all these terrible truths in her report. They might even read them and appreciate another perspective. No, not really. She knew what they wanted to see. Nothing but a total vindication for the GungHoites and their superior nature would be appreciated. Research could be valuable, if it proved the intended thesis.
It was self-direction they wanted. Tomorrow was a new day and Virgo was about to commence on the most fantastic journey of her life. She would go back to the list and provide what the Labyrinthites wanted. She would prove her thesis, get rid of the nagging doubts she had and prove her worth to the GungHoites so that she could continue her climb to fame and success. She could even see herself becoming the next generation leadership when Gung retired and went off to the happy retirement ground to play gold and talk of his successes.
CHAPTER 4
This was fascinating. The real work was about to begin. Could Virgo pull it off? Could she really interject divergent criteria and recreate the scenario while minimizing any other external factors that might make taint her research? She would certainly try.
Gung and Ho were looked like they had been hit with a brick! They were angry that anyone would thing they were anything but generous and kind. Hadn’t they provided work opportunities for scads of people over eons of time? How ungrateful it was for these same people to suggest that they could have been better served if they had lived by this set of contrivances that Virgo had brought back and was sharing with them. The Labyrinthites had a purpose to serve and upsetting Gung and Ho was not part of it. They read incredulously, as the went carefully through each part of the note. They saw the list more as an indictment of them, than of a list of qualities, or an honor code by which the Labryinthites tried to live. They read on:
We, the Labryinthites believe that the following characteristics represent our community and we encourage all to follow their values. The Labryinthites believe that they:
- Attempt to do those things that are in the best interests of the labyrinthites.
- Consider the people to be the reason the labyrinth has value
- Have a need for recognition for work accomplished as well as for their potential contributions
- Believe each person has unique potential.
- Believes in being patient, kind, humorous, courageous, curious, imaginative, frugal, sharing, honest, understanding, and dedicated.
- Believe each person is capable of achieving financial stability sufficient to provide for his/her personal and/or families needs
- Understand that each person is lovable, capable, and worthy of being compensated for the functions he/she performs.
- Each person has the capacity to change; thus, being adaptable to the current environment.
- Finally, a curious element which was not directly translatable to the logic of Gung and Ho, something about being tenacious and long serving, thus transcending change for change sake. Virgo had observed this phenomenon first hand as she visited the lower kingdom, but was still unable to understand what was meant by phrases like, “I was here long before they were in charge and I will be here to straighten out their messes after they leave.” The research was hers to develop and she would leave this unsettling note in just to see where it took her. Surely, the Labyrinthites didn’t think that Gung and Ho’s word was not to be taken as the ultimate in lasting truth!
By this time Virgo was standing near the door and near tears. Gung and Ho were angry and their red eyes and stern faces showed that they felt betrayed. Gung Ho said, “ Virgo, this is all your fault. Ho agreed, adding that the whole affair needed to be put to rest NOW so that everything could get back to its natural order. Virgo knew that this was her going to be either her finest hour, or her last breath as a potential GungHoite leader. She squared her shoulders and said with a voice that was supposed to be the roar of a lion, but came out sounding very much like a sheep as she implored Gung and Ho to remember the purpose of this research was to refute the nonsense they had been reading and prove once and for all that the GungHo traditions were the way things were supposed to operate. A strange thing happened just then. A calm, then a smile came over Gung and shortly after Ho relaxed, smiled and proclaimed that Virgo was a budding genius. Her plan would surely foil the dissenters’ plans and then the GungHo dynasty could go on and on and on.
CHAPTER 5
The day started off great for the Labryinthites. Can, Do, Gee, Whiz, and a whole bunch of other Labryinthites of all varieties were busily engaged, working their trades and getting through the day. Rumors abounded that the GungHoites were about to create another change and they knew what that meant, but something different had preceded the rumors this time. Gung and Ho had sent one of their own down into the Labryinth to talk to them about the whole economic thing and how there were real needs for change this time. Communication channels were created so that anyone who wished could share their perspectives about the things that had happened in the past and how they thought resolution could come this time. They had some excellent ideas. Some of the ideas had been discussed in GungHo circles, while others had never been dreamed of. The first idea that surfaced incorporated four of the Labyrinthite concepts from the list.
Summarized, the concepts reflected a need to work towards the best interest of all labyrinthites; recognize that the value of the labyrinth stemmed directly from the people; that each person – regardless of station – had a right to be recognized for their accomplishments as well as their potential contributions. Attempt to do those things that are in the best interests of all; with a firm understanding that each person has unique potential. Ho, in one of his very few assertive moments, declared that this could be done. He looked Gung right in the eye and noted that he too had seen some remarkable talent from his observation post atop the labyrinth and that he was all for giving them the opportunity of sharing helping to build their own destiny. Gung just sat and gazed at Ho, unable to control his anger and frustration at being upended by his cohort. Let them try, he signed, noting to himself that this was all in the nature of an experiment anyway and that when Virgo’s thesis was proven, he would have his satisfaction and his revenge. Ho would get his in the end because Gung would remember the challenge and bring it back to haunt Ho in spades.
CHAPTER 6
The Labyrinthites were dubious at first, making the typical comments one would make after being told that a tiger had changed from stripes to spots and being asked to belief that it was an honest and permanent change and not simply a whim brought on by some illogical change in the weather, or in the mood of the beast. Soon, however, Gee began to visit with others who had developed the original set of values. He commented that it would be a sad day if they didn’t pursue this opportunity and show what they could do. The Labyrinthites had a chance to prove their worth and show that things could be better for everyone including the GungHoites if they made use of their values, then created and implemented a plan that would maintain the spirit of their values. They should do it with all the gusto they could muster.
Soon others began to climb on the rather shaky platform that held them so tentatively as they floated above the chasm with its jagged and foreboding crevasses below. They knew that for many it was a very risky endeavor because it was in fact a challenge of last resort. Virgo, by providing this opportunity through her research project had allowed them to believe they could make an attempt at succeeding without layoffs, down-sizing, outsourcing and other terribly grievous treatments that had been applied to their labyrinth in the past. Virgo knew that her thesis was in direct opposition to the possibility for this creative nightmare to succeed, but after Ho’s bold and somewhat politically suicidal comment, even Virgo was beginning to have a faint glimpse of what the potential of this great experiment could be. She quickly pulled her thoughts back in order. She wasn’t about to go against Gung. She had seen what he was capable of in the past and wasn’t about to get caught up in GungHo wrath. She would go and brush up on GungHo protocols and etiquette over the weekend so she would not start taking on the less than glamorous characteristics of the Labyrinthites. She knew what side her bread was buttered on and she wasn’t about to get sent away to some remote rock to be passed over by history.
Monday morning, she awoke to an incredible noise. The Labyrinth was aglow with excitement. Those little aragonites were organized and ready to go. They had somehow, magically organized into teams, with each team having a leader, a scribe, and a runner. They had made huge posters that provided challenges and motivation. Energy was running so high that one could not help but get caught up in the euphoria. Whiz and some his cronies were sitting on the sidelines playing eternal doom sayers, but for the most part, the Labyrinthites had become mobilized. They had purpose. They had resolve and they had the support of the GungHoites through this outrageous experiment. They were going to prove what they had was said was possible for as long as they could remember.
CHAPTER 7
Changes were coming so rapidly now that it seemed as if everything was a blur. No one could stop them. They were invincible because they knew that they were capable and lovable and worthy of being compensated for what they did. What a strange elixir this was. There was anger, happiness, questioning, pondering, and pure euphoria. There was also some name calling, some questioning of authority, some bickering, and some losses. They had been given the opportunity to change – to move mentally beyond the box and see what they could do if they simply moved forward. Most importantly there was an aura about them that bespoke the very essence of self-esteem; of self-actualization. They had been challenged and they had risen to the challenge.
Everyone that was still on-board this outrageous train was learning at a magical rate. New ideas, old ideas revisited, technology and communication were being pressed out of every pore and into every particle of the labyrinth. Virgo found herself feeling like she was part of this craziness. She needed to go out in the rain and take a good cooling off walk. She was getting sucked into this magic as surely as water is cycled down a drain. Strangely, even after her walk, she found herself wanting to do things for the Labyrinth. She couldn’t help it. She wanted to facilitate. What could she do to help these great people move forward with their cause. She knew! She would show them how much progress they had made and how close they were to success. She couldn’t tell them that they had defied all odds; that they had succeeded when everything including the very purpose – the thesis- of the research was diametrically opposed to the very thing that they were accomplishing. She would note this all in the secret notes she had been compiling since she had begun to get caught up in this most exciting of events. Change came at a frightening pace. Recommendations for change came from every sector. Things would look, smell, and act differently. Some components of the labyrinth would remain the same. Because the labyrinth had been an operating, functioning, productive entity in the past and because the most important asset – those who were part of that entity – had good ideas and were willing to change and help re-define the entire labyrinth from air fresheners to passing zones, this incredible experiment was proving too good to be true.
CHAPTER 8
Gung was very bright. He just had not thought in terms of making changes in his understanding before. When Ho had made that awful scene and said the things he had about letting the labyrinth people see what they could do, he was mad, embarrassed, and confused. How could someone he had worked with for so long, take such a terrible swipe at his kingdom and by extension his power and his logic. He was embarrassed because he had not been the one to think in these new terms and he was afraid and confused because he was sure a coup was in the works and that he would find himself overseeing some remote rock in the dark and frozen northlands for the rest of his career. Calmer minds revailed, however, and he found that because of the tremendous successes that had been spawned by the labyrinth and because of the incredible loyalty (a value he had learned from the last statement in the labyrinthite list of values), everything was good. He was still shown respect. He still wore his regal designations declaring him to be the head GungHoite, and he enjoyed an increased portion of GungHo salary and benefits because there was more to go around. Virgo knew that she had taken a horrific chance. She could have become one of the frozen rocks in the north country and never had a chance to move up in the organization. Because she had taken chances, been willing to generate buy-in on a very tenuous opportunity and professionally challenge the status quo, she was now in line to become the next assistant GungHo leader and go forward in history as one who became liked and respected by all levels of the spectrum.
Hour by hour; day by day; progress, change, and positive attitude became the bywords. Weeks, months, and years passed. Places, people, ideas, and potential for success changed, but now there was a difference. A genuine, lasting, understanding, appreciation and mutual respect had been forged that transcended all differences and time itself. Utopia? Probably not, but close enough to make life, jobs, and human interaction very pleasant and worthwhile.
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