Whilst preparing to write a review for a colleague of Sir Richard Branson's book ‘Screw it Lets Do it’ I revisited the book. I was reminded as early as Page 2 about why I think this is the best business book I’ve read since I read Tom Peters ‘In Search of Excellence’ 25 years ago.
I just love this extract and if this style is good enough for Sir Richard it is certainly good enough for me. How I wish all managers agreed with Sir Richard's view of the world.
‘Then there are those silly little rules that someone has invented for baffling reasons. I always think that if you set up quangos or committees, they will find something useless to do. The world is full of red tape, created by committees with too much time and an overbearing desire for control. Most red tape is a tangled mess of utterly useless, nonsensical jargon. If I want to do something worthwhile – or even just for fun – I won’t let silly rules stop me. I will find a legal way around the rules and give it a go.’
I just love this extract and if this style is good enough for Sir Richard it is certainly good enough for me. How I wish all managers agreed with Sir Richard's view of the world.
‘Then there are those silly little rules that someone has invented for baffling reasons. I always think that if you set up quangos or committees, they will find something useless to do. The world is full of red tape, created by committees with too much time and an overbearing desire for control. Most red tape is a tangled mess of utterly useless, nonsensical jargon. If I want to do something worthwhile – or even just for fun – I won’t let silly rules stop me. I will find a legal way around the rules and give it a go.’
4 comments:
"I will find a legal way around the rules and give it a go"....that is a terrific mindset to be sure and one that obviously has served him well. Using the system to beat the system is how great things get done and organizational cultures change. If I understand the "why", I can usually make a "no" a "yes" and nothing gives my approach more credibly with those above me in the organization than results. I'm thinking I will make his the next book I read. I just finished a great book titled "Simplicity is the key". It expressed much of what I have known and used as a leader over the years so in many ways it was like having a conversation with myself. I also learned a great deal as well. The "Ten Great Myths of Patient and Public Involvement" (the external customer) also reflect the attitudes that a lot of "managers" have regarding the involvement of the frontline folks (internal customer) in planning and decision making in the work center. I now have some "tools" to use when trying to get those above me to see the logic and common sense in engaging the frontline folks in all facet of the workplace! A terrific job with this book Trevor.....It seems Sir Richard Branson and Clint Eastwood's charecter Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Highway in the movie "Heartbreak Ridge" share a common belief. Gunny Highway's advise to his squad in the movie....."You adapt, you improvise, you overcome....surrender is not in your creed" Different words but exceptional advise!
Thanks Dave – I appreciate your kind comments about my book. Tell your fiends is my best response of course :-)
Maybe you and I can get a job working for Sir Richard – he seems like our sort of leader! Faith in front liners and an advocate of simplicity.
Nice site...
Thats look like I must be come again...
good job..
national health care
Thanks blasphermour - great name - where are you based?
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