Comments

Damn few. I think the people at the top of the ladder are just making too damn much money.

Is there an entitlement to being an asshole once you reach a certain level in the corporate hierarchy?

Posted by Troy Worman at February 24, 2005 1:49 AM

Yes! Absolutely. Why not turn everything upside-down and let the "customers" or "clients" run the show? I played with this idea, on a very small scale, when "running" a transitional homeless shelter for HIV infected individuals-- turned over as much autonomy to the clients as I could and the results were remarkable. The more they did (and the less I did) the better everything got.

If it worked for them, it can work for yr. clients.

As a teacher I also like the idea of turning things over to the students. Let them choose the lessons, let them direct their education. I'm just their collaborater in a fun & creative project... they learn English "from" me and I learn Mexican (Thai, Japanese,...) culture from them. Everyone a student, everyone a teacher!

In the business world, why not do the same-- turn things over to the customer. Why not "everyone a customer, everyone a boss, everyone a student, everyone a business".

Posted by AJ Hoge at February 24, 2005 2:48 AM

There is a segement of the software industry that calls itself "Agile" that is moving in this direction and embracing the customer

http://agilemanifesto.org/principles.html

Posted by paul grew at February 24, 2005 6:17 AM

Right on, AJ! I would have to say that if you want adults to buy-in to projects and planning, one must start at home.

Two years ago, when our nieces (10 & 12) came to visit Raleigh, I asked them to draw up their plan of expectations for the duration. They had to understand the hours of operation for local museums, the particular exhibits on display, movies in the theatre & at home. We also have a workshop with tools for making jewelry, metalsmithing, woodworking, etc. All of these options were planned by them and they accomplished a great deal.

They can take this experience and apply it to every facet of life.

Posted by EC Stewart at February 24, 2005 12:45 PM