Innovate or Avoid Risk
Posted on December 8, 2005 Comments (2)
The Xooglers blog has some really interesting posts. In one, “But, but, that’s just crazy talk!”, Doug Edwards discusses a great example of what true leadership is about.
In my defense, my background conspired against me. Past public relations debacles had taught me always to evaluate worst-case scenarios before considering the possible benefits of any new initiative. “First, do no harm” had become my mantra.
This is the reality of many people. There are many reasons why avoiding risks is smart and should be encouraged. But when avoiding risks stifles innovation the risks to the organization are huge.
And I took a notion that maybe I should be more open-minded about big ideas that, on the face of them, seemed ludicrous. I would have many opportunities to test this resolve in the years to come.
A great lesson. The hard part is that stupid decisions can easily be made when knowledge is lacking. There is no substitute for knowledge – W. Edwards Deming.
Quote from Lion of Lean, interview with Jim Womack:
So this guy, who was around 60, gives me an incredibly frosty look and says, “Because I know everything.” Everything? “That’s my job,” he says.
You have to read the article to understand that quote.
Related Links:
- Management Training Program
- Deming on Management
- Data Based Decision Making
- Google: Experiment Quickly and Often
2 Responses to “Innovate or Avoid Risk”
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November 25th, 2006 @ 6:05 pm
It is important to understand the systemic weaknesses in how we think in order to improve our thought process. We must question (more often than we believe we need to) especially when looking to improve on how things are done…
May 24th, 2007 @ 6:53 am
Google is working to have the technology adopted by manufacturers; so when we buy computers they will use this technology to reduce waste. This is good since not many of us cannot eliminate this muda ourselves..