Defying Gravity

In the world of physics there is only one type of gravity.  It’s the attraction between two bodies, and the biggest one wins.  That’s why we all find it difficult to fly like Superman – the earth’s gravitational pull keeps us in place.  It’s tough to bend the laws of physics.

Thankfully, the world of work isn’t quite as daunting.  You have the power to adjust the mental mass of different objects.  In essence, there are only two major objects at work:  the status quo and efforts to change and improve upon the status quo.  In most companies, the size of the mental mass associated with the status quo is truly gargantuan, rending the gravitational pull of change efforts useless – so most change efforts underwhelm or fail.  But it doesn’t have to be that way.  You can reverse this reality and reshape the collective behavior of your team and organization.

In the case that the status quo has huge mental mass, understand that it’s built on known quantities.  Your employees have learned to succumb to the status quo’s gravity.  It’s a simple mental phenomenon driven by the context that surrounds them.  They have learned to give in.  They were taught by their job descriptions, by watching the boss shoot down new ideas, and by company policies dictating every aspect of work-life.  

Turning the tide will be tough, but it can be done.  We used to think overcoming real gravity was impossible.  Then we learned how to fly.  Then we learned how to go to space.  Today we know it takes immense work, huge costs, and significant risks – but we know how to beat gravity. 

It’s similar for business.  Long-term innovation and reinvention is tough but possible.  The number one reason it’s so tough?  Companies cling to the status-quo!  IBM and the typewriter.  RIM’s Blackberry.  Record companies selling albums.  The list is long.  Same goes for any organization.  Church anyone?  Boxing?  You have to change or become less relevant, or you could even cease to exist. 

You can shift the mental gravitational pull away from where we are today towards where we need to be tomorrow.  Think about job descriptions, the company mission and vision, the goal setting process, evaluations and other feedback mechanisms, training and development resources, new product development, sales and marketing, and how you hire and promote individuals.  Every single one of these areas must be scrutinized to determine ways we can shift the focus to change and innovation.  You get what you ask for and what you reward.  It’s time to start asking for and genuinely rewarding people willing and able to help your company be relevant five years from now, not just holding the line next quarter.

It all starts with how we promote and train managers.  They have to be honest stewards of current products, processes, and practices – and they have to support the always-brewing revolution of new things that will upset the current order.  Great parents love and affirm their children in their current state, and also push them hard to study, learn, and grow.  Same goes for your team.  

Sometimes the path forward is clear, but daunting.  It feels as if a million things are holding you down.  But now you know that truth.  If you really want to, you can beat gravity. 

Todd Dewett, PhD

President, TVA Inc
Keynote Speaker at the HR Tampa Expo 8/27/14