Systemic Stress / by Alexander Lyadov

A kidney specialist once told me that if you start jumping, the troubled organ will reveal itself.

Even a gentle shake reveals potential weaknesses in a system. It could be not just a person, but also a company, a community, or even a nation.

In a state of inertia or rest, there's an illusion of 100% health. For instance, a company repeats a well-established process for a long time. It seems like this state of affairs will last forever.

Yes, the system is stable internally, but unfortunately the context around it is in flux. Unpleasantly, changes can be: a) significant and b) sudden. So, where it's fragile, there's a rupture or even a collapse.

The solution is simple—voluntarily subject the system to stress. The problem is, the "organism" will feel discomfort. Employees will protest: "Why artificially create problems? Everything was going so well. And we have so much work to do."

Leaders prove themselves not only when disaster strikes, but also when there's no cause for alarm. When everyone is panicking, they remain the calmest. Conversely, they become paranoid when everyone collectively sighs, "Ah, everything is so good!"

The art of management lies in simultaneously strengthening the system and subjecting it to stress. A wise leader knows the answers to questions: What part? With what effort? Exactly when?

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander


About me:
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.

How can I help you?
If you've long been trying to understand what is limiting you and/or your business and how to finally give important changes a push, then The Catalyst Session is designed specifically for you. Book it here.