The best motivation for becoming more proactive is the humble understanding that we can do a lot of damage in a much shorter amount of time. Ironically, we can do an equal amount of good in a short span of time. However, people often forget the good that we do. If everyone in the world sat down and made a list of every good thing that we have, and every good interaction and saving grace, then we would be so humbled that we’d fall to our knees in thankfulness.
Through my study of Ian I. Mitroff, Crisis Management Expert, I’ve learned that a good majority of us travel through life being reactive. We rarely, if ever, recognize crisis, and would rather slip into denial.
I agree with Ian when he points out in his book, Why Some Companies Emerge Stronger and Better From A Crisis, that reactive organizations often end their statements with “if it’s cost effective.”
These companies fail because they refuse to take in view the full scope of the universe. They don’t have people on staff who have a healthy balance of emotional intelligence, statistical knowledge, cultural experience, or desire for positive universal outcomes, nor are they considering the crazing effects of only basing their decisions on finances. By taking a finance-only approach, we can keep the machine going, but it will swiftly become a broken machine. Speaking frankly, it’s been broken since the beginning of time but we are accelerating the global process of erosion by creating intentional calamity through unnecessary resistance. Weren’t we suppose to learn as young babes to choose our battles wisely?
Below is a short excerpt from Mr. Mitroff’s book.
Basic Assumptions of Proactive Organizations
- One is obligated to make the world safe.
- One is obligated to make the world good and just.
- One is obligated to make the world stable and predictable.
- One is obligated to limit betrayal.
- One is obligated to reinforce the inherent goodness of people.
- The organization is obligated to assume responsibility for its acts.
- One is obligated to do everything possible to publicize advance warnings of crisis.
Are you still with me? Follow me further because we are in crisis.
Basic Assumptions of Reactive Organizations
Black people are stupid… Up… ignore that one. It was just a joke.
- One is obligated to make the world safe if and only if it is cost-effective.
- One is obligated to make the world good and just if and only if it is cost-effective.
- One is obligated to make the world stable and predictable if and only if it is cost-effective.
- One is obligated to limit betrayal if and only if it is cost-effective.
- One is obligated to reinforce the inherent goodness of people if and only if it is cost-effective.
- The organization is obligated to assume responsibility for its acts if and only if it is cost-effective.
- One is obligated to do everything possible to surface advance warnings of crisis if and only if it is cost effective.
After reading this and a lot of other organizational management material, I’ve firmly concluded that we all need to take a step back and ask ourselves, “What are we trying to accomplish here?”
We have to consider that Bitcoin, hackers, Brexit, a new US administration, wars, emerging technology, and the eventual inevitable loss of one of the greatest world leaders known in existence, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in combination with our denial of crisis, could create a very unsafe situation.
We can already see that a good portion of society believes it’s OK to kick people while they are down. We know that’s wrong, but we insist on being dysfunctional. We kick people while they are down, thinking that crisis can never happen to us.
Bear with me, as I am resolved to believe that sugarcoating this situation is not in our best interest.
This isn’t a call for panic, but a call for sensibility, and common sense. The United States needs to strengthen our relationship with our most loyal allies such as Great Britain, Canada, Japan, Israel, France, South Korea, and so forth. Also, it is absolutely necessary to think about how we will support Great Britain as they go through their transition. I am personally thankful for the presence, and life, of Her Majesty, and as a natural woman, there is nothing greater than another woman knowing the value that her collective presence has contributed to the world.
Let’s transition, and evolve, with technology, while exercising the importance of us acknowledging the value of human life beyond the finances. I look forward to our countries proactive journey. Be assured, positive outcomes come from baby steps, but equally often from leaps and bounds.