Lead by Moving On

There comes a time in leadership where the organization needs to move on from something it has always done. Something that was once healthy becomes old and, tired and ineffective. Even traditions that formed the bedrock and foundation of the organization can become out-dated and counter-productive. These organizations, traditions, and activities can be fiercely defended by some who remember a much happier and more prosperous time. So is this story of a beloved horse who was the pride of the stable in its youth now not able to get around quite the same way. As far as I know there is no source to turn to to attribute this story, it has passed to becoming just ancient knowledge that rings uncomfortably true today.

Some people, in an organization, are said to have gotten together and brainstormed some strategies for dealing with the beloved  "dead horse" and returning it to its former glory... one might call it an organizational parable.

• change the leader/rider
• use a stronger whip
• shout and threaten the horse
• appoint a committee to study the horse
• visit other places to see how they ride dead horses
• appoint a committee to revive the dead horse
• increase funding to improve the dead horse's performance
• bring in consultants to show how to ride a dead horse
• harness several dead horses together to increase speed
• declare a dead horse is less expensive to maintain than a live one
• form a work group to find uses for a dead horse
• promote the dead horse to a shiny example of leadership

Think about your dead horses and move on. If you don't get this organizational parable, that's ok many leaders of the original parables did not get them either.