The Doldrums - a nautical term that refers to the belt near the equator where sailing ships can sometimes get stuck for days, even weeks, on windless waters……
the Summer , and especially August, can feel like that – most of Europe is on an extended vacation…. families squeezing in the last vacation before school starts….
It’s hard to maintain momentum on a client project… and definitely not the time to start something new…. frankly it’s a good time to coast a bit….. and why not? It’s been a tough year… we have earned a breather.
It’s a different kind of doldrums that are a deep problem…. sometimes it’s an individual issue…. sometimes the leader …. and sometimes the culture of an organization….
The symptoms are clear…. A junior staff member asks “What do I do next ?” …..
or a consultant responds to the question which client she is serving with “I am waiting to be staffed”.
….. the most disturbing symptom is when a team gets excited about a new idea or opportunity only to have the enthusiasm drained when someone reminds the room they must wait for guidance before moving forward….
It seems to me that there are endless opportunities to serve our clients and help them improve their businesses… and there are many ways we can make our own organizations a better place …. even if it is something small.
So I am always a little puzzled…..actually saddened…..when I come across people asking or waiting to be told what to do next.
Seth Godin's blog post "What do you need me to do?" nails it:
“This is a question that defines the person asking it. It is very different from, "here's what you might need…"
My brother recently reminded me of something my father would say, “there are two kinds of failure – someone who does nothing they are told and someone who does nothing else”
Sure, there are times that the choices are overwhelming and we need guidance on which way to go and where to devote our energy……I get that. The doldrums are different …. it’s when I see intelligent, capable people needlessly waiting for direction that I feel that knot in my stomach.
…. just to be clear, I have never seen anyone just sitting in a room waiting to be told what to do next…… but I do see well intentioned, high potential colleagues who have perfected the art of being passively very busy……yet, actively waiting for direction……
Passively busy, actively waiting
There are so many ways to make ourselves busy and fool ourselves into thinking we are productive and contributing……. pointless meetings and committees are God’s gift to actively waiting… rehashing the same issues again… dodging a real decision…looking for more data and more opinions to prove we should do what we know is right, but haven’t been given the go ahead yet….
“Do not confuse motion and progress.
A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress." Alfred A. Montapert
I am sure we could think up many good reasons for this… ….. lack of a clear vision, vague plans, poor communication, weak governance, no rewards - or penalties- for risk taking, etc. etc. …… and I have no doubt that I have personally contributed to creating barriers to others taking action…
But somehow there are always those people at all levels - from the newest analyst to the most senior partner - who are deeply engaged in actively driving some change, some effort, because they anticipate or see a need and they take initiative….. without being told ……without asking for permission….
I had a client once with a compelling sign on his wall;
“There is no heavier burden than a great opportunity and no greater tragedy than unrealized potential”
hmmmm, maybe I should double check myself….and make sure I am not passively busy and actively waiting….
Have a great weekend,
Walt
Loved this one Walt. To add to your idle quote collection, George Cecil "On the plains of hesitation bleach the bones of countless millions who, at the dawn of decision, sat down to wait, and waiting died". I don't believe you suffer from actively waiting but maybe just in a whole different gear? Keep them coming, great stuff!
That Montapert quote is on point. Never confuse effort and results.