Movement for change Focus on opportunity rather than problem
A management consultant shared this story with me. 

It occurred more than ten years ago. He was giving consultancy to a large organization in Singapore  The client wanted to introduce a new computer system to improve an important process in the company.

The local manager in charge of this project was afraid of change. He asked for the system to be changed to cater for many possible contingencies that might arise. He said that he was "playing the devils' advocate" and wanted a system with "zero defects".

The modified system became very complex, very costly and not user friendly. 

Before implementing the new system, the local manager asked -If I introduce this new system, can you guarantee me that I will not face any operational problems. 

The consultant said - I can certainly guarantee you that new problems will arise. But when they arise, we can fix them. We are adopting an agile development approach. In fact, it is easier to deal with real problems, rather than imaginary problems.

The local manager rejected the new system. The project was abandoned after a heavy budget and several months of planning effort. 

A few years later, the consultant learned that the local manager had lost his job. He was replaced by a "foreign talent". Why? The top management realized that the process in the company was backward and behind their competitors. They were losing a lot of business, even from established clients.

The displaced manager tried very hard to get a new job for a few years. He was unsuccessful. He blamed the government for allowing "foreign talents" to come and take over his job and for competing for new jobs.

He did not realize that his over-cautious approach towards change was the key problem that led to his displacement. He also did not realize that a new employer would look for experienced managers who focus on opportunities, rather than problems.

Does this story sound familiar? It was told to me by a management consultant that I have high respect for.

Tan Kin Lian
 

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