Life is a Song68856

When comparing business with sports you can derive insight in the way to win, to compete, to get to the top (mountain expedition) To understand the essence of management another type of metaphor is helpful, for example the drivers-metaphor; a manager needs to steer, lead a direction, accelerate, fuel team with incentives to get into a next gear...

This metaphor can be designed by use of a normal vehicle (a car or a motorbike) or with something like roller-skates.

First the car:

When people are asked the question: are you a good driver, most would respond, Yes, I am. But how can you tell, whether someone is really a good driver (manager)? Are you a good driver when you never have been in an accident? Or does the accident (lets concentrate on the minor accidents) not count if you have been involved but it was not your fault?

Studies reveal that when people enter a car they transform to a different personality because of the inherent protection they gain from the vehicle. This leads that they become too or over-confident.

This is different when using another vehicle like a motorbike, or even more when using roller-skates. When using roller-skates a person leverages on the (speeds) characteristics of the skates but remains close to reality. A little accident will have a direct impact on the driver of the skates, whereas an accident with a car the impact is most of the times completely absorbed by the car. The driver is not affected.

Both vehicles provide people the power to go faster. Replace the vehicles with resources and you have got the manager on the steering wheel; a simple management response is to get more resources to get more output. The manager (like the driver of the car) is confident that he is on the right track.

But how often is speed (or power) really the issue?

Lets take an example, a business problem: you arrive too. Would speed have solved your problem?

Agility is another (business) requirement. It is the flexibility to switch and change at the right time. When driving a car this competence seems overdone, but when on roller-skates you cant do without. Agility is also about stopping at the right time. Seeing what happens around you and to act appropriately.

A famous photographer (Herman Selleslags) said once in an interview: it is not enough to see and to photograph; you must foresee and photograph. If you see it is already too late.

Speed (pr velocity) and agility are needed in business. Both metaphors offer this insight. You could argue that either model fits will enough, but there is one difference; the impact of the accident. When you are on speed with skates and you lack the agility to prevent an accident you will feel the impact more. You are much more closer and connected to the real world.

And therefore you are more likely to learn from mistakes.

2007 Hans Bool

Hans Bool writes articles about management, culture and change. If you are interested to read or experience more about these topics have a look at: Astor White or sign-up for our newsletter.