NOT THE BEST OF US BUT ALSO NOT THE WORST

"The mass never comes up to the standard of its best member, but on the contrary degrades itself to a level with the lowest."

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American naturalist/poet/philosopher.

Possibly cruel to say but true in concept.

The best of any group can act less so while the least capable cannot immediately become something they are not.

It is the group's responsibility to resist becoming the lowest common denominator.

IN BUSINESS TOO

"Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, and half-shut afterwards."

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman/scientist/philosopher

Success often results from the combined efforts of individuals within a group, all of whom have one fault or another.

They need only be accounted and planned for, not acknowledged, to succeed.

BEFORE IT IS YOU VOTED OFF THE ISLAND . . .

"Coalitions though successful have always found this, that their triumph has been brief."

Benjamin Disraeli

19th century British politician/author

At work we might call these "clicks".

Avoid them by any name choosing instead to align only with those who work to advance the company mission rather than their own.

You're One Of Three

"All mankind is divided into three classes; those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move."

Arabian proverb

A pretty neat summary of business personalities as well.

Those who don't, those who might, and those who do.

Which are you?

First You Have To Belong

"To be no part of any body is to be nothing."

John Donne

16th century English poet

The best manager attempting to manage outside of the group manages nothing.

One Or All?

"There is no monument erected to the memory of a committee."

Lester J. Pourciau

20th century American educator/author

There are many times more derogatory committee quotes than there are positive ones, this being but one example of the milder ones.

Why do so many find so much negative about committees while at the same time celebrating collaboration, strength in numbers, and other positive expressions of group activity?

It's Not About You

"To know how to hide one's ability is a great skill."

Francois de la Rochefoucauld

17th century French writer

Particularly in business.

Your company will only achieve through the efforts of many.

As capable as you might be your real task is to make sure you channel the collective ability of others rather than attempting to do everything yourself.

One And All: Getting The Best

"None of us is as smart as all of us."

Japanese proverb

This will strike many of you as classic Japanese decision making theory; however it is not unique to the Japanese nor even Asia.

Elements of the belief in the power of numbers to get things right are finding their way into all sorts of thinking from Clay Shirky's "Here Comes Everybody" to California governor aspirant Meg Whitman's "The Power of Many."

My question is this.

How do we balance the benefits that comes from the contributions of many with the genius that is often only found in one?

How Are We Doing?

"Remember, even at a Mensa convention, someone is the dumbest person in the room."

Unknown

And in a not so smart crowd, someone is the smartest.

While much is made of our individual talents, is enough considered about how well the group does?

Groups: The Power of "Many"

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has."

Margaret Mead
American Cultural Anthropologist

Change the world. And we're just talking about changing our business.

Are you part of a "small group of thoughtful, committed citizens" in your business?

The Organization: One or Many?

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."

Friedrich Nietzsche
German Philosopher

The entrepreneur in me loves this. Rugged individualist to the end standing against the oppression of the group, etc., etc. However as a business owner I know that you go nowhere alone.

Successful organizations are built on the harmonious, integrated contributions of many while at the same time, the best companies are those that can access the inspiration that only comes from each individual.

So how do we do this? How do we celebrate the individual while at the same time integrating them into the "tribe"?