The Benefits of Heresy, or "What I learned from my summer reading"
The Benefits of Heresy, or "What I learned from my summer reading"
What is Sheepwalking?
Sheepwalking is what happens when an organization:
* hires a capable individual (like you) and puts him or her in a position performing repetitive, braindead tasks (perhaps like yours?),
* creates enough fear in their mind to keep them in line ("If I don't [fill in the blank], I might get fired"),
* and calls it all part of a "meaningful career path" and "a secure future". (Sound familiar?)
The Telltale Signs
We are sheepwalking when we decide that it's okay to stay at our post day after day, doing nothing meaningful, because we think that it is safer than not being sure what we're doing next. A sheepwalker knows that what they are doing is ineffective, but does it anyway because "it's what's in the manual", or "what the boss said to do". Even when they feel the life being sucked right out of them, the sheepwalkers remain in the pen with the others because that's what they are doing too.
We are all susceptible to it, regardless of our spot on the totem pole. New hires, managers with years in the game, marketing professionals (both corporate and "independent") and 6 figure bankers are all capable of sheepwalking. You know. You've seen them.
Consequences
Then something changes. Maybe a company gets into trouble and gets bought, or worse, closes completely. It can happen for any number of reasons. Perhaps "Senior Management" made a bad bet or two at the wrong time. Unfortunately we've also seen instances lately where "leaders" have been flat-out unethical and finally get caught red handed when the music stops.
Who pays then? You guessed it, the sheepwalkers. Suddenly "meaningful career path" is a phrase entirely devoid of meaning and the future is anything but secure. In a best case, the sheepwalkers take a trip to the shearing house and only get fleeced. Sadly, most of these will settle back with the flock, waiting with their heads down for their wool to grow back. For others, the consequences are far worse. They are left outside to fend off the wolves on their own. The realization hits. All the time they sacrificed, the dreams and opportunities they let pass - just to preserve the chance to do nothing meaningful - has been utterly wasted.
The Good News About Sheepwalking
Believe it or not, there is some good news about sheepwalking. Like all other human behaviors, we control it. Sheepwalking is ours to stop. If you are part of an organization that fosters sheepwalking, Seth would tell you to become a heretic. Reward those with whom you work specifically when they don't act like sheep. They grow, you grow, others take note - good stuff happens for all involved.
If you can't change the path of your current organization, walk away from the pen and claim the opportunity that you desire and deserve. Align yourself with an organization or mentor that won't stand for sheepwalkers. They might be rare, but they exist.
If you can't find one that's a good fit for you, take the initiative to start your own organization - rally your Tribe. There has never been a better time, when the playing field has been more equal, or when the tools to create opportunity have been so broadly available.
The beautiful thing is you will attract those like you - others who aren't willing to settle for the status quo and who have been looking for someone like you with whom to forge a new legacy. The impact you'll be able to have, on both yourself and those you have yet to meet, will be limited only by the bounds you set for yourself.
The Benefits of Heresy or What I learned from my summer reading - To learn more about this author, visit Chip Wilson's Website.
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I want to talk about something I was guilty of for quite some time. I felt it when it was happening, but I didn't have a name for it until my vacation this summer when I read Seth Godin's recent book, Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us. My offense - sheepwalking.
What is Sheepwalking?
Sheepwalking is what happens when an organization:
* hires a capable individual (like you) and puts him or her in a position performing repetitive, braindead tasks (perhaps like yours?),
* creates enough fear in their mind to keep them in line ("If I don't [fill in the blank], I might get fired"),
* and calls it all part of a "meaningful career path" and "a secure future". (Sound familiar?)
The Telltale Signs
We are sheepwalking when we decide that it's okay to stay at our post day after day, doing nothing meaningful, because we think that it is safer than not being sure what we're doing next. A sheepwalker knows that what they are doing is ineffective, but does it anyway because "it's what's in the manual", or "what the boss said to do". Even when they feel the life being sucked right out of them, the sheepwalkers remain in the pen with the others because that's what they are doing too.
We are all susceptible to it, regardless of our spot on the totem pole. New hires, managers with years in the game, marketing professionals (both corporate and "independent") and 6 figure bankers are all capable of sheepwalking. You know. You've seen them.
Consequences
Then something changes. Maybe a company gets into trouble and gets bought, or worse, closes completely. It can happen for any number of reasons. Perhaps "Senior Management" made a bad bet or two at the wrong time. Unfortunately we've also seen instances lately where "leaders" have been flat-out unethical and finally get caught red handed when the music stops.
Who pays then? You guessed it, the sheepwalkers. Suddenly "meaningful career path" is a phrase entirely devoid of meaning and the future is anything but secure. In a best case, the sheepwalkers take a trip to the shearing house and only get fleeced. Sadly, most of these will settle back with the flock, waiting with their heads down for their wool to grow back. For others, the consequences are far worse. They are left outside to fend off the wolves on their own. The realization hits. All the time they sacrificed, the dreams and opportunities they let pass - just to preserve the chance to do nothing meaningful - has been utterly wasted.
The Good News About Sheepwalking
Believe it or not, there is some good news about sheepwalking. Like all other human behaviors, we control it. Sheepwalking is ours to stop. If you are part of an organization that fosters sheepwalking, Seth would tell you to become a heretic. Reward those with whom you work specifically when they don't act like sheep. They grow, you grow, others take note - good stuff happens for all involved.
If you can't change the path of your current organization, walk away from the pen and claim the opportunity that you desire and deserve. Align yourself with an organization or mentor that won't stand for sheepwalkers. They might be rare, but they exist.
If you can't find one that's a good fit for you, take the initiative to start your own organization - rally your Tribe. There has never been a better time, when the playing field has been more equal, or when the tools to create opportunity have been so broadly available.
The beautiful thing is you will attract those like you - others who aren't willing to settle for the status quo and who have been looking for someone like you with whom to forge a new legacy. The impact you'll be able to have, on both yourself and those you have yet to meet, will be limited only by the bounds you set for yourself.
The Benefits of Heresy or What I learned from my summer reading - To learn more about this author, visit Chip Wilson's Website.
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