The Six Secrets of Change

'Give me a theory over a strategic plan any day of the week. 

A plan is a tool - 

a piece of technology only as good as the mind-set using it'.

However, the overriding caution must be:

The world has become far too complex for any theory to have certainty.

Therefore, I do not simply take the The Six Secrets at face value. However, not only was it an enjoyable read; it has also given me greater knowledge and understanding.

William Muir's poultry experiment

Muir wanted to increase egg production by selective breeding and tried to do so in two ways:

1. Muir selected the most productive hen from each of a number of cages and 
2. Selected all the hens from the most productive cages.

After six generations, he presented his findings. He first showed a slide of the sixth generation of hens selected by the first method. 'The audience gasped. Inside the cage were only three hens, not nine, because the other six hens had been murdered. In short, the most productive hens achieved their success by suppressing the productivity of their cage mates.
The second cage contained all nine hens, plump and fully feathered and egg production had increased dramatically. By selecting whole groups, Muir had selected against aggressive traits and for cooperative traits that enabled hens to coexist harmoniously.

Happiness is not what some of us think...

Consider the leadership styles of two great Antarctic explorers: Robert F. Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton.

They were both incredibly determined to lead their crews to the South Pole in the early 1900s, but the results of the two expeditions were dramatically different...

Shakleton combined meaningful challenge with a concern for his followers , but for Scott finishing was the only goal that counted.

Happiness requires combining meaningful work for others! 

Morrell and Capparell's list of Shackleton's leadership traits: 

• Cultivate a sense of compassion and responsibilty for others.
• Once you commit, stick through the tough learning period.
• Do your part to help create and upbeat environment at work.
• Broaden your cultural and social horizons, learning to see things from different perspectives.
• In a rapidly changing world, be willing to venture in new directions to seize new opportunities and learn new skills.
• Find a way to turn setbacks and failures to your own advantage.
• Be bold in vision and careful in planning.
• Learn from past mistakes.
• Never insist on reaching a goal at any cost; it must be achieved without undue hardship for your staff.