Wednesday 9 November 2011

There is usually trouble when the tail is wagging the dog

At the beginning of the 1997 comedy film ‘Wag the Dog’ a caption reads:
“Why does the dog wag its tail?

Because the dog is smarter than the tail.

If the tail were smarter, it would wag the dog.”

How many situations in your business is a small part controlling the whole, or something minor unduly influencing something major?

A classic case of the tail wagging the dog is happening in Australian politics at present where Independents hold the balance of power and often hold the government to ransom if they don’t get their way. A great example is one Independent trying to introduce gambling legislation in an endeavour to fix problem gamblers who from what I can see are a very small minority of the people who gamble for leisure. If the legislation is introduced the potential damaging effects in the pubs and clubs industry are huge, potentially even putting some out of business. The Independent pushing the change is threatening to bring down the government if his legislation doesn’t pass. In this situation like so many in politics all over the world, common sense is the uncommon thing.

I suggest reviewing your business as soon as possible to make sure that you have a great understanding of the little things making a big difference both negatively and positively. Then take action immediately to ensure you change what’s normal in all the negative areas.

“If you don’t believe little things make a big difference, then you have never been to bed with a mosquito.”
Anita Roddick

PS You’re smarter than any of the little things exercising undue influence over your business right now!

Be the difference you want to see in the world
Ian
Author of Changing What's Normal
I partner with people passionate about change who want to break free from the status quo and accelerate turning possibility into reality


Sparkenation: a spark that ignites passion that leads to action that changes what's normal

More sparkenations are here.



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