Management Stories

A classic example of the conflict [between the skills, mindsets and structures needed for discovery and colonization] is the story of Lotus 1-2-3 in the 1980s. Before Lotus was acquired by IBM it was an independent company that created the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet software – a huge success in the market that brought this hitherto little-known company a considerable profit and profile. However, five years on, top management became concerned that the company’s success and growth was leading to a loss of entrepreneurial spirit. To put this concern to the test, they took the CVs of the first 50 people hired by Lotus back in the early 1980s, changed their names and put them in the application pool. Not one was invited for interview. This tells you that these entrepreneurs, pioneers, revolutionaries even, no longer ‘fitted’ into the new culture.

source: Emerald Now Spotlight on Constantinos Markides

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One day a man came across 3 stonecutters working in a quarry. Each one was cutting out a block of stone. Curious as to what they were doing he asked the first stone cutter what he was doing. “What? Are you blind?” the stone cutter shouted, “Can’t you see, I’m cutting this stupid piece of stone.” Shocked but still no wiser the man turned to the second stonecutter and asked him what he was doing. “I am cutting this block of stone to make sure that it’s sides are straight and smooth so that the builder can build a straight wall.” Feeling a lot better but still not really any wiser the man turned to the third stonecutter, who seemed to be the happiest of the three, and asked him what he was doing. “I am building a cathedral,” the 3rd stonecutter replied.
Source: TheWorkingManager

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