Corporate Survival Demands `Conscious Incompetence'.Business Editors RARITAN Raritan, river, 85 mi (137 km) long, rising in N central N.J., and flowing generally SE to Raritan Bay, an arm of Lower New York Bay, at Perth Amboy. Through pumping the Raritan supplies water to the Spruce Run and Round Valley reservoirs. , N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 3, 2002 In the post-Enron, post dot.com economy, it is not enough to do well. Survival depends on a sustainable source of competitive advantage. In his new paper, "Winning through Adversity ad·ver·si·ty n. pl. ad·ver·si·ties 1. A state of hardship or affliction; misfortune. 2. A calamitous event. : Steps to Survival in a Harsher World," global organizational development expert and PNA PNA Palestinian National Authority PNA Phoneline Networking Alliance PNA Peptide Nucleic Acid PNA Personal Navigation Assistant PNA Pacific/North American PNA Polish National Alliance (established 1880 in Chicago, Illinois) President Adrian Adrian, Roman emperor Adrian, Roman emperor: see Hadrian. Adrian, city, United States Adrian, city (1990 pop. 22,097), seat of Lenawee co., SE Mich., on the Raisin River; inc. 1836. Savage says corporations can turn adversity into the next big success by practicing "Conscious Incompetence in·com·pe·tence or in·com·pe·ten·cy n. 1. The quality of being incompetent or incapable of performing a function, as the failure of the cardiac valves to close properly. 2. ." Conscious Incompetence requires four steps: #1: Ask yourself is this truly what I think it is? Take a clear look and start by asking whether something truly exists in the form being presented. #2: Ask yourself what tells me that this is true? Confusion defeats effective judgment. Make a list of the "proofs" that demonstrate a situation before you act. #3: Ask yourself "why?" repeatedly until you isolate the real causes of any problem. "Why?" is the most useful single question in the universe. Asking "why?" can be uncomfortable, but it is always productive. #4: Assume permission to improvise, even if you get it wrong the first time. One employee who faces an important decision does not want to make a mistake, or take unnecessary risks. He makes a decision in terms of past knowledge. Another employee with the same decision practices Conscious Incompetence. She reviews all the options that are not aligned with how things have been done before and learns something new with each mistake. The second employee accesses her potential, the company gains a new approach and management recognizes a new talent. The first employee wonders why his career is not progressing. "If received wisdom worked we wouldn't be in this mess," Mr. Savage said. "Let's stop banging our heads against the wall and try something new. Conscious Incompetence and improvisation improvisation Creation of music in real time. Improvisation usually involves some preparation beforehand, particularly when there is more than one performer. Despite the central place of notated music in the Western tradition, improvisation has often played a role, from the should be required for individuals, teams and the whole corporation. It is the only way to access and use untapped potential." For a copy of this paper or information about PNA email info@chenpr.com. About PNA, Inc. PNA offers corporations solutions for talent management, organizational development, succession planning Management Succession Planning In organizational development, succession planning is the process of identifying and preparing suitable employees through mentoring, training and job rotation, to replace key players — such as the chief executive officer (CEO) — and key staff retention. PNA uses proprietary approaches developed and proven over two decades to help clients worldwide maximize individual, team and organizational strengths to achieve their business goals. PNA is part of the global RSM International RSM International is a global network of professional service firms. Member firms operate in over 70 countries worldwide, employing over 23,000 people. Total revenues for 2006 were in excess of $2.7 billion USD, placing RSM International in the top 7 global accountancy firms. network. For more information visit www.nettps.com or call 908-541-1700. |
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