We need to be bold whilst at the same time not taking unnecessary
risks, we need to be financially prudent but invest to make the most
of technological but not see it as the solution to every problem. We
must be more customer focused but we must also be open and honest
about the limitation on our ability to meet their wants and needs.
Successful organisation value and invest in their staff but we must
not overlook the opportunities for greater efficiency that outsourcing
will give us.
The picture in my mind is of someone walking backwards across a
desert dragging a bush as they desperately try to cover their tracks.
The tactics are either attack or defend, the strategy is to go
for some quick easy wins in the hope of building up some momentum or
accept some early set backs as part of finding the right formulation
for future success. The oxymoron manager can’t decide, both attack and
defence are important, quick wins are needed but building for the
future is a requirement. The result is that staff don’t know what they
are being asked to do.
How can you hold staff accountable if they are confused about where
they should be directing their efforts or how they should be
allocating their time?
A former Director of finance with a lot of experience of advising LAs
in financial difficulties would say, ”first you must plug the holes in
the boat then you can start bailing the water out.” Advice the
oxymoron manager is unable to take since they can’t shake the idea
that both are necessary to stop the boat sinking and so both must be
done. Result divided time and energy so only some of the holes get
filled and eventually those bailing out the water succumb to fatigue.
Blair Mcpherson former Director, author and blogger www.blairmcpherson.co.uk