Proceed Until Apprehended

I found a treasure-trove of valuable leadership materials in the online library at the Banff Leadership Development Centre. It’s proof that The Banff Centre is ahead of the game.

I’ve just returned from the Canadian Rockies to learn that I’m published! My ChangeThis manifesto, Flow, Flee or Fight is now up for the world to see.

If you’ve read it, I’d love to get your feedback. Was it interesting? Did it raise questions? Did it answer any? Was it useful?

1) Biggest mistake this year (as voted by your colleagues) wins a paid trip to Mexico
2) Intentional mistakes are not allowed

These rules are easy to implement. Spread over your workforce, the cost of the initiative approaches zero. The communication of the rules is simple. Within a day or two, a staff of thousands would know them by heart.

These rules are hard to say out loud if you’re in a position to make this commitment. The rules feel risky. They feel like you’re not being accountable… at least on the surface. You are flying in the face of a culture that values minimizing risk.

But really, what would happen? I think:

• A signal is transmitted – leadership is committed to change
• Individuals pursue the incentive
• Some fail. One lucky SOB really fails
• Some succeed. Some of the results can only be described as revolutionary.
• Most efforts fizzle, but we learn from them
• The organization benefits from thousands of employees choosing to apply discretionary effort

While it feels risky, the results actually seem pretty solid. I think economists would look at the incentive and the statistical probabilities for success and say it’s a no-brainer. More likely, you hurt your business if you don’t do it.

The challenge is to step away from the emotional reaction and go with the effort that produces results.

I’ve noticed a relationship between salary size and inability to speak the truth. Essentially, how it seems to work is that well-paid senior management seem to be extremely choosy about the times they point out to their boss that they think something is a bad idea. They “pick their battles” and “build relationship” by saying yes. The other, rarely used alternative would be to present thoughtful, articulate and contrary advice. This advice is not invited, nor is it appreciated until it is appreciated.

I’ve tried to put myself in the position of these senior individuals:
A) They were hired to show results
B) The bureaucracy can at times be fickle and has demonstrated a hair-trigger response to employment issues in the past (read: they could get canned)
C) The salary they’re now at is an increase for them… quite possibly the pinnacle of their career

I have trouble coming to the same apparent conclusion, though, that you have to play the game to get the odd win. I have a salary that is nothing to scoff at. In fact, I currently make double what I thought was wildly successful when I graduated university 10 years ago. I was naive, yes, but I’m still making well above average and more than I need.

I don’t think you have to play the game and incrementally present a change of course. I think playing (and validating) the game guarantees we don’t create value or effective results. Read The Wisdom of Crowds to become a believer.

There’s clearly a deliberation that happens here. Individuals attain a pinnacle point, or at least the best so far in their career. The choice is to play safely and receive the paycheque or to stick to your principles and try and make meaning. It appears that with such big salaries on the line, the decision to play safely is just too tempting.

In one of the richest and most comfortable countries in the world, the excuse that you’ve got mouths to feed no longer cuts it. Is it the status, then? The trips and toys that can be bought? The validation of appearing in control? I find it hard to believe this stuff is better than making a meaningful result.

I might be seeing this all wrong. This also begs a question: Which came first? The sycophancy or the salary?

I’m pretty excited today. My submission to get my manifesto published on ChangeThis was successful. Thanks to friend and family support, my proposal garnered enough votes to hold on to fifth place… enough to get published.

I’m now going to put some finishing touches on the manifesto. I’ve had a fantastic infusion of energy and inspiration ever since I got my head around how I could express my ideas and engage others, particularly online. I’d be remiss if I didn’t credit Seth Godin and Tribes. It’s one of the most practical and insightful books I’ve ever read.

So, here’s something interesting. I have an extremely selective memory. I can’t remember most of what I did before lunch. To be honest, I can’t remember what I was working on 20 minutes ago. At the same time, I can remember, quite clearly, the systemic challenges and events that led to a significant failing within our workplace a few years ago.

Most of the events that happen in a day I actively dismiss or ignore. I am trying to discern relevance and give items an appropriate allotment of my time and conscious effort. Most of the time, that appropriate amount is pretty close to zero.

This activity feels risky. What if that email addressed to 20 people actually had some important information or assignment for me? What if that ringing phone I didn’t pick up was my boss or the Premier? What if that verbal briefing I didn’t take notes for held the key to our future?

Here’s the thing though. There’s always more information. I think a better question would be “What’s the opportunity cost if I pay attention to this?”

Just a few of our information sources are colleagues, bosses, mainstream media, bloggers, twitter, cable television, youtube, magazines and email, both anticipated and spam. Who’s to say where the next nugget is going to come from? Who’s to say it’s going to be delivered at all? Maybe you alone are going to generate the knowledge necessary for the next step. Uh oh. That requires quiet reflection and new ideas. Can you make that space?

I’m making a focused effort to remember the macro story. The pattern that results in the win (or the loss) that defines the big chunks. I’d like that memory burned into my mind. That’s the piece of information that would save me countless hours of heartache.

Without that memory, we engage in patterns and efforts that didn’t work before. Sadly, I think most participants on this earth remember the small things, not the big.

2010 marks the 10 year anniversary of my diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis. By most accounts, I’m smarter, happier and healthier than I was back on May 16th, 2000.

I think we should celebrate. I’ve always been open about my diagnosis, and I’ve always sought to help those who also suffer. I think my 10 year anniversary is a good time to take it up a notch.
I’m calling it The Year of the Nevin.

Starting January 1, 2010, the party begins. We’re celebrating Success with MS.

MS has drastically changed my life. It’s made some things harder. It’s made others a lot easier. The following list is as scientific as I get:

Harder
Balancing
Getting enough rest
Catching flying objects
Walking without bumping something
Exercising
Maintaining my ego
Letting go of “jock Nevin”

Easier
Acknowledging my mortality
Sharing feelings
Connecting with my family
Walking away from work
Committing to exercising
Subjugating my ego
Embracing “well-rounded Nevin”

Here’s some things I’d like to do as commemorative acts in 2010:

Publish a booklet of things I’ve learned about MS
Distribute the booklet in Saskatchewan MS Society offices
Host a party and fundraiser on Saturday, May 15th
Write a blog that celebrates The Year of the Nevin
Commemorate my 11th consecutive MS Bike Tour with my biggest team ever
Complete an Olympic-distance triathlon
Distribute commemorative The Year of the Nevin souvenirs

It will also be 10 years of marriage for Kerri and I in 2010. Another reason to celebrate… another big party, I think.

Please help me out here. Is it too bold? What else should I do?

Changethis has listed my manifesto proposal on their site. If it garners enough viewer interest, I’ll submit the entire manifesto and it’ll be posted in pdf for others to pick up and download for a loooong time. Perhaps this just proves how much of a nerd I am, but I’m excited. Spreading ideas is addictive. Please click this link and vote yes.

http://www.changethis.com/proposals
[Voting for my proposal has closed. Thanks for the votes! The link will take you to the most recent batch of proposals]
Thanks,
Nevin

I love the idea of, and the ideas on http://www.changethis.com/.

I’ve just submitted an outline of my manifesto (linked at the left… http://www.squidoo.com/innovation-manifesto) to be considered for publishing on the site. Please go visit changethis to gain the insight of some passionate people.