Every once in a while, a new word creeps into our vocabulary that becomes a vibrant part of our speech. I vividly remember when “proactive” was hip, was cool, was an important word for us all. We challenged our colleagues to be “proactive.” Proactivity was all about causing something to happen rather than responding to it after it has happened. Great word. Great word!
I also remember when we embraced and used the word “empowerment.” That special word means people were given permission to have power and control over their own functional areas in business and more importantly, have power over their own lives. Another important word, for sure.
Then when life became so hectic that we had to learn how to juggle multiple tasks concurrently, the word “multi-task” came to be. It defined how we would simultaneously do a number of things at the same time.
Needless to say, words and phrases evolve with the times. Reaching back a few decades, for purposes of this column, I’d like to revisit a word that should have a special meaning to us all, and that word is “paradigm.” Paradigm? Paradigm? What does that classic word mean? In short, a paradigm is a standard, a model, a snapshot, a perspective, a mindset or a set of ideas. It’s a way of looking at something.
For example, when I was a teenager, the model, the standard, the paradigm was that “boys ask girls out” for a date.
Times have surely changed, and today it’s perfectly acceptable for a teenage girl to ask a teenage boy out for a date or to the prom. It’s also acceptable for a business woman to ask a businessman out for a business lunch and pick up the tab. And so, that particular paradigm has changed or using more popular phrasing, that paradigm has shifted.
Here’s where the paradigm word and concept has real meaning and relevancy.
Regardless of the task… be it a business process or procedure or something you regularly do in your life… when someone asks you “Why are you doing that the way that you do?” If your answer is “That’s the way we’ve always done that here…” or “I’ve been doing that this way forever…”
then you are clearly paralyzed by your paradigms. Now I’m not inferring that the way you do things is wrong. However, if you do what you do because “…that’s the way we’ve always done things…” you very well may be locked into paradigm paralysis out of tradition and activity longevity.
Great business leaders question and challenge the norm and “…the way things are done…” to constantly insure that their policies, procedures, standards and practices are still relevant and still work. Whether it’s the way your company answers its phones or bills customers or markets or promotes or hires or anything… revisiting a process and constantly questioning “why” something is done the way you’ve done it will lead you to possible course correction, reinvention, repositioning, reinvigorating and newfound success. Avoid “paradigm paralysis” at any cost.
On the other hand, when one proactively makes needed and necessary changes… and challenges “…the way we’ve always done things…” they are “paradigm pioneering.” Inventing a new (and relevant) process… creating a new (and logical) system… promoting a new (and important) guiding principle… all can lead an organization (or an individual) to new heights, new achievements and new success. That’s “paradigm pioneering” at its best and finest.
Companies (and individuals) strive to be respected for their discernible, sustainable points-of-uniqueness and differentiation.
When Truett Cathy, the founder of the hugely successful, highly enviable, well-respected restaurant chain Chick-fil-A mandated that its employees say “It’s my pleasure…” as opposed to just saying “Thank you…” after a transaction, that was a great example of “paradigm pioneering.” After all, the world of retailers and restaurants have been saying the same old phrase forever (emphasize “forever”) with a very common, standard “Thank you.” Chick-fil-A’s “It’s my pleasure…” takes the appreciation statement to a whole new level and demonstrates caring and true gratitude. Chick-fil-A was surely not paralyzed by the ”thank you” paradigm. They pioneered a totally different phrase that has become part of their servant leadership model.
Here’s a prescription for personal and professional growth, continuous improvement and success. Take a careful look and audit at many of the things you do (personally and professionally) over and over again. Have an open mind as you evaluate these activities and conclude whether they work… or whether there are new ways to be more productive. The “open mind” is the key to success in this exercise. Remember, “The mind is like a parachute. It only works when it’s open.”
If you conclude that some (or many) of your daily activities and rituals are no longer relevant or useful or productive, move away from being paralyzed by your paradigms and create a new model… create a new way to accomplish tasks… and commit to being a “paradigm pioneer.”
In the words of profound author Joel Barker, “Paradigm pioneering takes courage, intuition, and commitment. These, ultimately, are the values that can transform an organization (or an individual) from a ‘settler’ to a ‘pioneer’ and leader.”
Paradigm pioneering helps you shape your own future in a logical, reasonable, relevant new way.
I hope this message is a benefit to you. “It’s my pleasure!”
Augusta Press columnist Ira Blumenthal is a business consultant, a best-selling author, educator and youth Lacrosse coach. Learn more about Ira and his latest book, Your Best Is Next, at www.IraSpeak.com. Follow Ira on instagram @irajblumenthal.
