I do agree with Geoffrey when he states that people can be creative
off their feet while sitting back in a chair or in the shower - personally
shower time is not my best innovative experience.
I interpret Dr. Cohen's statement to mean that effective leaders are
innovators who are able to spot and repond to problems quickly - thinking
on his or her feet. And yes, this sounds like fire fighting. But I would
take the concept a step further.
During critical situations, as mentioned by Dr. Cohen, effective
leaders frequently have to come up with solutions. To elaborate on this
statement, there is a difference between problem solving and decision
making. Going out on a limb, I propose that sound decision making
requires at least the following four steps:
1. What are the facts? - this goes back to a Deming precept
of speaking with facts as a foundation for quality
2. What are the options or possibilities? - anything being
possible, what are the options? Aim for quantity over
quality - a basic brainstorming technique.
3. What are the outcomes or results of each of the possibilities?
4. What is the impact on the organization and the people?
How will this decision effect all of those involved in the
process?
The steps are meant to be sequential. What a colleague and I have
found is that individual temperament preferences dictate how people make
decisions. "Typically" most people either look at only the facts and
their outcomes thereby ignoring the options, posibilities, and impact on
the organization and the people; or they focus on the "warm fuzzies" of
what are all of the options and possibilities and how will they impact the
people. Of course I am over-generalizing the concept for brevity. The
point is that an effective leader will compliment his or her natural
tendency and look at all of the components for sound decision making.
I don't see this as fire fighting but I do agree that many leaders are
firefighters. I will argue that a person can be innovative and not
visionary. People can be creative without being futuristic. And,
finally, I also agree with Bill Walsh in being wary of crisis lovers.
Keep the questions rolling!!!
--
Pete
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__(*)/' (*)_______________________________________________
| |
| Peter L. Heineman, Manager of Contract Training |
| University of Nebraska at Omaha |
| College of Continuing Studies |
| 1313 Farnam Street |
| Omaha, NE 68182-0335 |
| (402) 595-2340 FAX (402) 595-2345 |
| Internet: pheineman@unomaha.edu |
|_________________________________________________________|
You will become as small as your
controlling desire; or as great as your
dominant aspiration.
James Allen