The displayed model is a normal trial and error loop. Repeated iterations, then implement the feedback on results, to find an efficient core. We have all used it in our work. More so, as you go up the corporate ladder. Contrary to what younger management thinks, older senior fogeys are experimenting too, because what they learned years ago is history and the ‘new’ has arrived.
In today’s world of uncertainty and change, this is a valid method of operating. Hence, I am not writing a justification of the method, as there is no alternative. The blog is more about conditions and attributes required, to be at home in the current environment. Some thoughts are listed below.
- Knowledge of what is happening, e.g. what research is saying.
- Strong analytics, especially in the big data world.
- Listening to and observing others.
- And conversing with others.
- Not having a dogmatic outlook. Do not take things for granted.
- Chew, analyse and think. Impulse can be dangerous nowadays.
- But, also requires fast turnaround and quick decision making.
- Since there is constant change, one can be wrong! Learn to live with that and it means not having an “ego”.
- It does mean having a strong value system. Without this value system, one drifts towards wrong, as the voices are many.
I would now take this further and add ‘countries and public office’ into the same approach. In dealing with public office, add further tenets to the ones mentioned above.
- Listening to numbers all the time. Not a one off election result. It means a constant watch on polling insights
- It requires repeated iterations on actions, events and results looping back into ever-changing decisions.
- This leads to gradually capturing the centre ground. Repeated iterations will naturally tend towards the centre. (No wonder political parties today cannot be differentiated)
- The process and environment will look machine like.
Politics and rulers may well go this route in the future. It is something which Angela Merkel has applied over a decade and half in Germany. Looking at what our own Prime Minister is doing, I think it is what his government is also tilting towards.
There is nothing wrong with this trial and error approach. It can be applied in government, as it can be applied in systems and organisations. We just need to be calm, controlled and follow the attributes to gradually achieve systemic efficiency.
