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Thinking in Hypotheticals
July 6, 2005
It's difficult to unlearn behaviors that made us successful in the past — speaking rather than listening; valuing people like yourself over people of different genders or from different cultures; doing things on your own rather than collaborating; making the decision yourself instead of asking different people for their perspectives. There's a whole range of behaviors that were highly functional in the hierarchical organization that are dead wrong in the flatter, more responsive, empowered organization that we're seeking to become.
-Robert Haas

In his book, Never Wrestle with a Pig (New York:  Penguin Books, 2000), Mark McCormack suggests that when you are at an impasse in your job, to ask these questions of yourself to get to thinking clearly:

*  If you could have anybody's job at your company, which one would you take?

* If you could work for anyone in your organization, who would it be?

* If you could eliminate the most time-consuming part of your job, would you miss it?

*  If you could erase your biggest flaw, would anyone notice?

*  If you could assemble a board of directors that existed only to guide and advise you, who would be on it?

*  If you were offered your job today, would you still take it?

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