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100 Ways to Succeed #158:
Transparency & Community & "Over"communication & Excellence & H1N1
The H1N1 threat is the latest crisis to come our way, riding the back of ongoing financial mayhem. Step #1, ASAP, is talk-talk-talk. Action is, of course, the sine qua non of success—but right now comes the talk. And lots & lots & lots of it. In our companies of 6 or 66 or 666 people, we have to start a wholly transparent discussion about how we will deal with every aspect of H1N1. Our Commitment to Community must be spelled out—and what we will do under various circumstances must be debated openly and at length. The tough issues must be addressed head on—e.g., insuring that people know that staying home if there's even a possibility of being sick with the flu is the ultimate white mark, not black mark. It must be made clear that an "all hands" commitment to dealing with the possible pandemic is the only worthy aim. And that we aspire to be a role model-shining light in our overall response.
I devoutly believe that long-term commercial excellence is a direct product of an enterprise wholly devoted to its people and its community; now is the time to define Excellence in response to H1N1—if it doesn't come, hooray, but if it does it is an opportunity to demonstrate who we are and what we're made of.
Think openness.
Think community.
Think excellence.
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Comments
T.P.,
"I devoutly believe that long-term commercial excellence is a direct product of an enterprise wholly devoted to its people and its community..."
You've GOT to be kidding me, Tom. "believe?" I've been reading your stuff, watching, listening... long enough to know you don't "believe" that for a second. YOU KNOW IT and YOU'VE PREACHED IT and helped a helluva lot of folks PROVE IT.
You doggone well KNOW it, and those of us who actually listen to your message KNOW that you know it.
Keep up the good fight. Don't "go quietly into that dark night" (like there's a risk of that ;-)
Posted by Dan Gunter at April 30, 2009 5:13 PM
Welcome back Tom. This is yet another amazing example of the speed of communication and how an issue can go from relative obscurity to planet prominence in days (make that 'hours'). Everyone seems to be talking about it. Today I was at a major healthcare event in Birmingham and I swear people were coughing much more respectfully to those around them ... or was it just that my own senses are heightened.
Think openness.
Think community.
Think excellence.
Agree - Its good to talk.
Posted by Trevor Gay at April 30, 2009 5:57 PM
I have really appreciated the way the the administration is handling this issue. I have, in fact, appreciated President Obama's leadership throughout these past 100 days, save the way the banks are being handled. My executive friends at Chrysler are giving him high marks for the way he handled their issue and spoke very well with regards to his press conference today. On all such issues, the administration has been by and large thoughtful, active and very present. This is so very good. Bravo!
Posted by Judith Ellis at April 30, 2009 7:36 PM
Ellis - lol your radical leftist dogma - perfect!
Posted by C Love at April 30, 2009 8:16 PM
C - Labels are, oh, so lame. They're indicative of static stale immobile far right ideology that is SO nowhere. What you got, man?
Posted by Judith Ellis at April 30, 2009 8:55 PM
Trevor,
My better-half asked this evening if we were all going to have to go out and buy masks to start wearing. She was only half-joking, I'm sure, as this whole thing has people nervous. It is amazing at the different "feel" over what is not really a different situation than we've faced before. True, this illness presents a serious risk to those with weakened immune systems, etc., but we've faced such before.
Perhaps this represents a bit of an experiment (intentional or unintentional), which might give some indication of whether or not serious media coverage, including frequent and somber press conferences by government officials, the CDC, state health departments, etc. will contribute in some positive way to curbing the infection rates.
You would think that we were suddenly looking at an Ebola pandemic with the media coverage, compared to past events. Nonetheless, it is serious, and I'm glad that officials worldwide are treating it as such.
Sure beats being kept in the dark.
Posted by Dan Gunter at April 30, 2009 9:38 PM
Dan – I tend to agree with you about possible over reaction. I think the media impact has been enormous and that is largely positive. If nothing else this ‘panic’ reminds us of basic ‘good manners and good habits’ e.g. cover your mouth when coughing/sneezing; dispose of tissues after use; and always wash you hands.
Perhaps the conspiracy theorists might say it’s a health promotion/education campaign :-)
It is a serious issue that demands our serious attention in my book and yes like you Dan up front publicity about such matters to put ‘health’ high on the agenda for all.
Posted by Trevor Gay at May 1, 2009 4:51 AM