In a two-hour meeting crammed full of numbers, bullet points, facts, and data, the most memorable statement came from a frustrated colleague: "It feels like we're taking on water and tossing things overboard without stopping to evaluate whether we'll need them again in the future."
That's the kind of metaphor that can get people moving--but not necessarily in the right direction. Our campus has for years been guided by strategic plans built on a foundation of data but shaped by controlling metaphors. First, we learned "To Thrive in the Flood Plain," a plan that admitted the serious challenges of living in an environment subject to sudden disasters and set forth a series of steps guiding us not just to survive but to thrive. It must have worked because our next strategic plan led us to "Higher Ground," outlining steps to strengthen our resilience.
Where do we go from here? In the absence of a clear vision that can move us to action, we're likely to latch on to the first compelling metaphor that comes our way, even if it makes some of us a little seasick or inspires others to abandon ship. Numbers, bullet points, facts, and data will take us only so far, but a really effective metaphor can put wind in our sails and maybe, just maybe, some firm ground beneath our feet.
2 comments:
Sounds like the leadership may be locked up too tightly in their ivory towers. Need a bit more "management by walking around" and actually talking to people and listening.
Last I heard, we are on a train and moving forward. Wish I knew whether it was a TGV or one that stops at every bush. Also I think someone bought third class tickets. And the destination?
D.
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