Futuristic Organizational Scenario
Administration for Humanoids and Leading/Risk-taking for Humans
How to Win with Such Drastic Changes in the Rules of the Game & Turf?
Such a division looks too simplistic? Not at all - the future is here. Humanoids have almost taken over retail business administration and with machine-to machine conversation coming, even workplace administration will become the responsibility of humanoids. There are several humanless workplaces in China. But, taking chances or taking risk is intuitive and the humanoids will never get this. They can analyze mountains of data and throw up numerous options, but the final decision will remain a human reserve.
This division is obvious from the very dictionary definitions of the terms given below.
Administration - is a business activity dedicated to “operation, management and organization”
Management – implies the functions like planning, organising, staffing, directing and controlling
Leadership - is about foreseeing the future and taking risks by challenging the status quo
The division will not be cut-and-dry for quite some time. But the direction we are moving in is clear. Still, human affairs are fluid and complex and the question like the above one will be part of intense debate amongst ‘experts’.
It is expected that as they are freed from the enormous burden of administration, leaders will create miracles and take their organizations to higher summits? Will they, really? Let us discuss. Because even most humans with top qualifications and intelligence are averse to take hazardous make-or- break chances and stick to the ‘more of the same’ with marginal changes.
The winners and losers in tough competitive environments will be decided by the leaders’ caliber in terms of foreseeing and shaping the future by taking risks. These won’t be nominal risks, but, if required, betting the whole business. Sounds like gambling? Yes, avers Steven Redhead, saying that, “Life is indeed a gamble, the ultimate game of chance, based purely upon having the ability to make the right choices at the right time”.
Historical evidence shows that, in all likelihood, upstarts will dominate and not the ruling stalwarts. Very few have the guts to bet large assets. This is obvious from the fact that the first ever electric car was developed in 1832 and the pollution threat was realized in around 1940. Yet, Elon Musk, a newcomer ‘gifted’ it to the world in 2003 and the leading giants became followers. The ‘flying car’ was a part of the Blade Runner movie in 1982 and the first one ever was developed even earlier, in 1917, by Glen Curtiss. But it is still awaiting a messiah to ‘gift’ it to the public and save them from ‘traffic jams’.
Dale Carnegie exhorts “Take a Chance”
And the playfield for such ‘gamblers’ is now not only our earth, but the universe. Elon Musk has already started space tourism and many are talking about space manufacturing and farming. Here is a challenge for the stout-hearted ‘gamblers’ to take chances and win in the vast ‘universal market’.
A few lines on the ‘chance’ theme are in order to awaken the sleeping giants and kindle a burning ambition among rising stars. Why do inventions with vast market potential remain in books and thesis, despite huge financial and human resources? It is very obvious, though few will admit it. The reason, in simple words, is ‘doubt about success’ or ‘fear of failure’. “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will,” declares Jack Willoughby. And, the great success guru Dale Carnegie exhorts “Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.”
“I was very lucky” – Bill Gates
Many may still ignore the appeal ‘to take a chance’ or ‘believe in good luck’ and take a risk. Those used to ‘analysis paralysis’ may be startled by the famous author Gladwell’s words. He highlights the fact that people like Bill Gates acknowledge and emphasise the role luck has played in their success. “I was very lucky”, said Gates at the beginning of the interview in which Gladwell asked him about the factors behind his success.
Leaving aside the debate about chance and luck, just ponder over Winston Churchill’s words - “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."
Taking chances and rising after failures is not only for the great and mighty but for everyone. Just remember the original immigrants to America who took chances, braved the oceans, bore untold hardships and in the process made that nation great. And what about Columbus? He took chance to find a new route to the east and ended up discovering America!
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ReplyDeleteMost in our group were shocked to read Redhead's comment: "Life is indeed a gamble". But after a brief heated discussion the final conclusion was "yes ,analysis of one's career the statement appears. correct "
Happy you grasped the role of chance in life and career . Most people follow only the hard and overtime ways for promotions; better strategy is to raise visibility through taking chances in outside allotted area.
DeletePlease remember Benjamin Franklin's laconic advice: "Diligence is the mother of good luck"
ReplyDeleteYes friend, you are diligent and hard working but you must raise your 'visibility' and 'versatility' and "sell yourself" so that opportunities from various departments /organizations come your way, otherwise you will be slogging and 'assisting' some clever fellows; as they say one must take chances and ' try his/her luck' .
DeleteJust came across a great champion of 'luck' and 'chance'. “Gambling is not a vice, it is an expression of our humanness "says Jeanette Winterson in her most popular thesis 'The Passion'
ReplyDeleteMost people do not take 'make-or-break chances because it goes beyond breaking to ruins. A case in point is Kublai Khan's invasions of Japan. in 1274 and 1281.Kublai was a great general and had conquered many countries. He was defeated in both invasions by the massive typhoons, Japanese call them 'Kamikaze'(heaven-sent Devine winds).Kublai lost an estimated 13,000 men drowned, around one-third of the ships sank, and the rest were damaged.
ReplyDeleteWHAT IS MOST NOTABLE IS THAT KUBLAI HAD TIMED THE INVASIONS OUTSIDE THE TYPHOON SEASON.
The moral is that yes by all means take big chances but be prepared to face the ruinous chance of defeat due to freak factors!! The reason why Churchill says be prepared to face defeat after defeat without losing enthusiasm.
That is why careful study and analysis of environment is recommended and various options (including the one of retreat) are chalked out .Of course the opponent has a strategy to sandwich the retreating party; level of alacrity is the deciding factor.
DeleteA good leader will know not to follow the data driven approach for every decision and career review. Some organisations are using technology simply because it is there. One goes to a garage with a car and after it is serviced, the garage sends an email/text asking how was the service. Just imagine getting this annoying request to review every interaction you have with another human being. Who is analysing this data travelling around using electrical energy and for what purpose? My view is that life is too short to keep commenting online about every person I see in a day. If you like what they do, tell them. If they solve a difficult problem for you, by all means tell their boss as you leave the business premises. But really, there is enough inefficiency introduced by technology into my daily life to take on more burdens unnecessarily. My students are using generative technology to come up with made up incorrect answers. Technology is a tool and not there to lead us. Humans definitely need to realise this.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. In a book (do not remember the name} on costing the author asserted that only activities which customers pay for and value should be undertaken ; he disapproved series of meetings.
DeleteThere is a classic example; a manager staying in a 5 star hotel ordered dinner on the room service phone number. After half an hour his internal phone rang and lo! and behold the lady asked him he enjoyed the food; he told her "your damned room service fellow hasn't delivered it'! And next morning at the check out the guy gave him a feedback form which looked like an income-tax return; he just tore it and threw at the clerks.
The make or break risk can crop-up because of an apparently insignificant factor/aspect ;remember the limerick " for want of a shoe horse was lost -----for want of ---kingdom was lost". In short no hole howsoever tiny should be plugged.
ReplyDeleteYes , a strategist must not leave any weakness because the coopetitor is also collecting intelligence and can exploit a tiniest hole. That is why when the stakes are too high the strategist forms two groups, one presents own action plan and the other group 'acts as opponent' and presents their action plan bringing out the weaknesses of first group .
ReplyDeleteRemember the saying "luck helps those who help themselves". So work hard and follow your intuitions.
ReplyDeleteA strategist remains focused on the ultimate goal despite reverses, Their inspirations come from thinkers like Confucius who said millennial ago:" Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
ReplyDelete