Actions Have Consequences, Mostly Unintended (part 2)
by Richard BarrettA few weeks ago I told you about my client who “acquires houses out of foreclosure, rehabs and rents the properties, then sells the properties to investors” and the consequences of the unintended craziness involved in the auctions in Texas.
Unintended consequences sometimes seem to be the primary result of human actions. It is safe to assume that no one planned to cause global warming or the current economic meltdown.
These are just unintended consequences, but each one is much, much larger than the sequence of intentional human actions which led up to it. Given that we do not have perfect foresight, unintended consequences appear to be truly unavoidable. But they don’t have to be tragic.
Goals, Judgment, Flexibility, and Transparency
We can reduce the negative effects of unavoidable consequences.
Consider a sailor navigating a sailboat into a harbor marked by a lighthouse. Unfortunately, this sailor does not have GPS or an electronic autopilot, so he has to steer the boat manually, using the tiller. He sets the boat on a course to the harbor, using the lighthouse as the marker. Almost immediately the wind, waves, and tide push the boat off course. The sailor constantly corrects the boat’s heading to keep it on course for the harbor. Sometimes the boat has to change course to avoid larger ships heading into port. Most of the time the boat is off course, but due to the sailor’s constant corrections it makes progress toward the goal.
Passengers on the boat may not know how to sail, but they can see the lighthouse and can use the radar screen to track the progress of the boat amidst other ships. They can tell, for themselves, that the boat is on track and making progress.
The sailor has a clear goal and uses his judgment and flexibility to keep the boat heading to port. The analogy to our economic situation is obvious—while the sailor is guiding the boat to a safe harbor; our economy feels like it is careening out of control, heading toward the rocks.
Things to Think About
Given that most of us cannot significantly influence the government or the national economy we need to look closer to home.
- How do you guide your business?
- How does your team set goals?
- How do you encourage transparency?
- How much freedom do you allow your employees to use their own judgment?
- Do your policies look like the US Constitution (only 4,440 words) or like the US Tax Code (over 400 volumes)?
One More Consequence
Recently I have found a new opportunity, much too interesting to pass up. To pursue this new opportunity with the attention it deserves, one unintended consequence is that I must let go of this blog. With great appreciation for you readers and with many thanks to Miki Saxon, who gave me this opportunity to speak directly with you.
I close with the heartfelt wish that you follow your dreams all your life; that you may fulfill your dreams and that they may fulfill you.
Sincerely,
