Tim,
Yours is one of the most provocative (in a good way) posts I have
read in a while. Just a couple of comments.
you wrote:
"I think the competitor for business is not an opponent but a
product/service that helps people get closer to an ideal (as defined
by the customer)."
This is a noble ideal, unfortunately it is far from reality. Even at
Hewlett-Packard, the marketing slogan for the Communication
Measurement Division in 1994 was "Shut The Door In Ninety-Four", or,
close the door on the competition. Although not militaristic this was
clearly aimed at dominating (gaining supremacy in) the respective
markets. The big problem with such marketing driven organizations is
that they seem to be more intent on beating out the competitor than
selling a product that works to the customer. This type of
organization will rush a product through the design and manufacturing
cycles in an effort to be the first to market, bugs be damned (been
there).
also,
"if we really loved our soldiers, we would probably tell them to
get out of the Army -- the point being that what parent would want
their child to die in war?"
From my point of view, truer words could not be spoken. Once again,
however, reality rears its' ugly head. My father served in the U.S.
Army for 21 years (1960 to 1981). As an Army brat, I saw first hand
how some fathers would constantly try to enforce military discipline
on their families. I was one of the lucky ones. Some of the more hard
core (especially special forces) soldiers felt that there was no
nobler way for a man to die than in battle. In contrast, when I came
of the age that I began to examine the opportunities for my life's
path, my father was adamant that I _not_ enlist. As soon as I read
your words this all came back to me in a great rush and I immediately
made a connection to the "Selflessness..." thread now being discussed
on this list.
I wish there were more publicity surrounding scoreless sports in
middle schools. Your post is the first that I have heard of it
actually being practiced. It is a fantastic idea. Unfortunately, most
of the more selfish parents won't get it. Maybe once the kids that do
in such programs tell other kids, the parents will capitulate and
enroll their children. Maybe peer pressure would be of some benefit
here?
Winfred Dressler asks:
"...do you avoid the word strategic for its closeness to
military..."
I don't usually think of 'strategy' in militaristic terms. I have
always interpreted 'strategy' as the most effective method to achieve
a desired end, more of a mental challenge, sort of a 'meta-method'
concept.
JHC
--JAMES_H_CARRINGTON@HP-Chelmsford-om1.om.hp.com
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>