Keying thoughts: A Mindful Strategic Approach
Open is as open does
Keying thought
Friend, advisor, Mark Safranski knows, better than anyone, my passion for the “portals, platforms and rule sets” which enable strategic conversations — conversations transformative to the structure of organizations in emerging markets. Keenly aware how strategic approach provides the requisite constraints and affordances of structure, Charlene Li cautions the traditional way of doing business, “You simply can’t “Six Sigma” your way into new markets”.
Setting initial conditions
Invited into a new startup, I’m heeding Charlene’s caution, using the framework she provides in Open Leadership to develop a mindful strategic approach. For now, I’ll refer to the startup as Open Social Engagement Strategy. As soon as we’ve worked out our tactical transparency, I’ll mention our startup by name, trademark ;)
Roles before rules
The operational realities of getting things done are constrained by time and responsibility. Who does what, and when, and for how long?
Then we can ask, “Who needs to be in the conversation?”
Next post: The Roles of Engagement
Tags: Charlene Li, engagement strategy, Mark Safranski, open leadership, tactical transparency
May 12th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Charlene is wise. The impossible perfect loses to the realistic but rough around the edges that can connect to the environment. Eventually, you might be able to improve the environment to a higher, better level but first the environment has to accept your presence. Mere toleration can rapidly wear thin
May 12th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Spot on, Zen. Pretty much you’ve expressed my take away from the “time and responsibility” reference, Stewart Brand’s “order of civilization.” The operational layers of Commerce, Infrastructure, and Governance sit atop Nature and Culture. Business that merely tolerates its operating environment risks alienating existing markets, or connecting to emerging markets.