Moonshots
Summary
Both economic thought and management practice are based on the so-called free market economy or competitive markets and all measures of performance or success are always relative.
To get out of this "competitive" mentality, can we substitute the word "competition" with "excellence" to give a whole new meaning to what we want to achieve? Is there a possibility of having measures of performance for excellence without any relative ranking?
To get out of this "competitive" mentality, can we substitute the word "competition" with "excellence" to give a whole new meaning to what we want to achieve? Is there a possibility of having measures of performance for excellence without any relative ranking?
Problem
The idea of competition alone as the driving force has outlived its usefulness. We are witnessing the division this has created among nations, religions, races, communities and castes apart from the ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor people of the world. I believe that this entire thinking which has shaped the way countries and companies operate, is based on the basic premise of shortage of resources or scarcity of resources and needs to change to a higher level of thinking.
Solution
There are no quick-fix solutions to this proposal for a breakthrough thinking. It calls for a fundamental shift in the way we think and act. Some concrete steps may be:
1. Start with children and our approach to education. Right from childhood, we are taught to compete, to stand first in class and later on, to get the highest salary, become the richest- all in money terms. Change the whole approach away from creating competitive mentality among children to one for excellence- doing whatever you do to the best of your ability, "excel" and not just "compete".
2. Change the whole approach to business strategy which is purely based on competition. "To be number one" or " to beat competition" or " to have the highest market hare or highest market capitalisation" need not be the measure of corporate success.
3. Leaders of all major countries, especially the developed ones, should think of global welfare rather than their own countires.
4. Today we are talking of conflict resolution and collaboration as the preferred modes of operation within the organisation and its network of associates and not competition. Why can't this logic be extended to the entire business community and entire humanity?
5. Develop performance measures which are not based on competition, but on excellence. Do away with ranking systems for rewards and punishments. Instil a purpose in people, which is beyond normal and competitive performance.
1. Start with children and our approach to education. Right from childhood, we are taught to compete, to stand first in class and later on, to get the highest salary, become the richest- all in money terms. Change the whole approach away from creating competitive mentality among children to one for excellence- doing whatever you do to the best of your ability, "excel" and not just "compete".
2. Change the whole approach to business strategy which is purely based on competition. "To be number one" or " to beat competition" or " to have the highest market hare or highest market capitalisation" need not be the measure of corporate success.
3. Leaders of all major countries, especially the developed ones, should think of global welfare rather than their own countires.
4. Today we are talking of conflict resolution and collaboration as the preferred modes of operation within the organisation and its network of associates and not competition. Why can't this logic be extended to the entire business community and entire humanity?
5. Develop performance measures which are not based on competition, but on excellence. Do away with ranking systems for rewards and punishments. Instil a purpose in people, which is beyond normal and competitive performance.
Practical Impact
In a society which functions on these principles, more number of people will be happier and will lead a more fulfilling life. Every individual, every organisation, every community, every nation and humanity as a whole, will move towards a state where everyone works towards achieving excellence and reaches greater heights in his/her chosen field than spend energies on fighting competitive threats.
First Steps
1. Obviously, the first step rests with the leaders of the world- leaders of countries, political, business and thought leaders to sit together and develop a road map for initiating the change.
2. Apart from this top-down approach, there needs to be a mass movement to assimilate and practise this philosophy. When both meet, a synergy will be created which will multiply human endeavour and well being manyfolds.
2. Apart from this top-down approach, there needs to be a mass movement to assimilate and practise this philosophy. When both meet, a synergy will be created which will multiply human endeavour and well being manyfolds.
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