The Theatrics of Business

"I don't necessarily agree with everything I say."

Marshall McLuhan
Canadian Educator, Philosopher, Scholar

I think this is one of those truths you don't think about that is nonetheless true.

Do you honestly believe and mean everything you say and do, or is some of it said for affect?

How do you keep track of what you mean versus say/do for reaction?

The Fine Ethical Line

"The most dangerous untruths are truths moderately distorted."

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
Mid 18th Century German Scientist

We've covered this before and the comment consensus is that there can be no gray area; you either are truthful or you're not. But I don't see things that clear cut in the real world.

Call it what you will, white lies, bending the truth, distortions, etc., accidental or purposeful, is ingrained in business and I'm not talking about the blatant Enron stuff. Day-to-day seemingly minor distortions, sometimes with negative consequences, sometimes not.

Do you see it?

Do you do it?

Standing Still: Not an Option

"He not busy being born is busy dying."

"It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)"
Bob Dylan

While Bob was referring to a person dying, the same holds true for companies, which, when all is said and done, are nothing more than the people who work in them.

Is yours busy being born (continually renewing) or dying (stagnant)?

What about you?

Insanely Great!

"There is a fine line between genius and insanity."

Oscar Levant

And that line is often a matter of timing.

When Mr. Obama first said he wanted to be president.

When Mr. Jobs first said he wanted Apple to be the leading seller of music and music players.

When you first set what appears to be an impossible goal.

Genius or insanity?

As The Plaque on the Wall Says . . .

"Our major obligation is to not mistake slogans for solutions."

Edward R. Murrow
Newsman

And doesn't business just love slogans?

From the plaques we hang on our corporate walls touting our community spirit and commitment to employees, to the one-liners we append to our company names, one would think the company's product was simply being good.

While you can't quantify it, if you could, what percent of all that sloganeering do you think our companies actually do?