Designed to Snatch Defeat from Jaws of Victory

“Your Company is Designed to Consistently Snatch Defeat from the Jaws of Victory”

You cannot believe how many times I have wanted to use those words (above) when talking to a company.  As an author and successful strategic consultant for 30 years, I came to the realization that some companies are designed to fail.  The problem is, it is nearly impossible to get their leaders to understand the need to change.

The biggest mistake most leaders make is to substitute downsizing for good strategy.  Rarely, is downsizing the appropriate strategy and there is research that affirms that point.  In most cases, downsizing may stop the profit deterioration, but almost always, fails to correct the root cause of the problem.

In my new book, The Invisible Wall, (www.TheInvisibleWall.com) I spend a lot of time explaining just how easy it is for companies to become frozen bureaucracies.  Sadly, it’s extremely difficult for the leaders who created the bureaucracy to fix it.  Research reveals that as companies age, their level of creativity and entrepreneurial behavior approaches zero.

I recently heard a supposed change expert talk about his firm’s research and how the only real data they had after 15 years of work is that…the problem always starts at the top.  Well…duh!  He also noted that the solution starts at the top.

I talk a lot about humility when I work with leaders.  Sometimes my words fall on deaf ears.  But every once in a while, someone listens.  When leaders become humble listeners it becomes possible to help their company…and to create a company that is designed to succeed!