Surface Ripples

The Dead Horse Theory: A Simple Lesson for Leaders

 Muhammad F reminded me of a great theory in LinkedIn in October last year: “If you realise you’re riding a dead horse, the best thing to do is get off.”

But in many organisations, instead of getting off the horse, people often:

·       Use a stronger whip to try to make the horse move. 

·       Form a team to study the horse.

·       Send employees to training on how to ride dead horses.

·       Rename the horse to make it sound better, like calling it “energy-challenged”.

·       Promote the dead horse to a higher position, hoping it inspires others.

The Lesson:

When something isn’t working any more, whether it’s a plan, project or strategy, we need to stop wasting time and energy on it.  It may be an unwillingness to admit we’re wrong to others, an inability to see there’s a problem or other causes. 

As leaders, our job is to understand what’s going on, admit that there’s a problem, let it go and focus on something that works.

Happy New Year. 

I deliver change in markets ranging from the most developed to “emerging” economies. With a wealth of international experience in international financial services around the world running different operations and lending businesses, I started my own Consultancy to provide solutions for improving performance, productivity and risk management.  I work with individuals, small businesses, charities, quoted companies and academic institutions across the world. An international speaker, trainer, author and fund-raiser, I can be contacted by email. 

Labels: Crisis Management, Leadership, Productivity, Strategy, Teamwork

posted by William Martin @ 11:56