I was watching one of those old how we won the Second World War films they always show at Christmas. An early scene in the film shows a security briefing about intelligence reports of the Germans developing rocket propelled missiles The scientific expert invited to comment on reports states they can’t be true and are probably an attempt to distract and divert our war effort. He states that his team are nowhere near developing this technology and it would be impossible for the Germans to have made such a leap in just two years. The meeting ends. The officer responsible for coordinating the intelligence reports asks the head of intelligence why the professor is so adamant that German scientists could not be that far advanced. His boss replies scientists deal in certainty the intelligence service in possibilities. They decide to follow up the reports.
What struck me about this briefing was the overconfidence of the expert, bordering on arrogance. Such over confidence and reluctance to concede that the competition may be more advanced can seriously disadvantage an organisation or at best lead to coasting. And you can’t afford to coast in a world of accelerating change.
In addition to the ,”if we’ve been unable to do it it’s highly unlikely any one else has “ attitude. I have worked in organisations that reject solutions developed elsewhere on the bases that it wouldn’t work here because we are different, bigger, more diverse, unique in our circumstances and traditions. This is refer to as the ,”not invented here syndrome “.
Organisations need to be inquisitive, curious and down right nosey. And not just about what other organisations are doing. I went to a national conference only to learn that my own organisation was involved in a cutting edge project which I knew nothing about because it was happening in a different department! Organisations and their leaders need to recognise good practise and innovation can happen anywhere. The idea is not to copy and impose someone else’s solution on you organisation but steal and adapt their solution to fit your needs and circumstances.
Be more like the intelligence service and investigate the rumours and less like the scientific community waiting for the undisputed evidence.
Blair McPherson former Director author and blogger www.blairmcpherson.co.uk
