July 2011 Deep Insights

How quickly we forget what brought us to a level of success envied by our peers. Unfortunately we don’t notice the disappearance of our success disciplines until we are unable to recall them. When we begin to forget our passion for continued success our organization’s culture slips into an entitlement state of mind. People in organizations are sometimes surprised to find new competitors from around the globe, from other industries or through technology; a new industry has been born and is replacing them. These threats are real and grow exponentially when entitlement thinking arrives on the scene. Once the world changes, we are left with disciplines that will not provide success in the current market place. It is a lack of a vision for the organization to outlive its people and be a source for the well being of future generations that results in entitlement thinking.

Entitlement mental modeling is a curse. It occurs when a culture begins to think “I.” I have the right to make decisions for others. I have the right to be selfish. I have the right to determine what a fair day’s wage is for a fair day’s work. I have the right to be rewarded for effort. I have the right to expect income after retirement. I have the right to be proud of the past. I have the right to move to another position for more income. I have the right to expect the company to uphold its values. I have the right to expect others to walk the talk. I have the right to determine what is good for me. I have the right to use company assets for my personal benefit. I have the right to jettison assets when I want to. I have the right to ignore those who made contributions to the whole. People begin to adjust to their success and to think of it as an entitlement. They stop dedicating themselves to a future that will provide continued entitlements for those who will follow behind them. Rather, they focus only on how they alone will succeed in the short term.

Entitlement is a disease best cured by building a legacy for the next generation. This legacy should encourage respect for all members of the organization’s ecology. Respect creates a camaraderie enhancement which produces disciplines for everyone, cultivating today for tomorrow’s successes. No one person can be given the credit for success. It is a collaborative effort from everyone; a team made of individuals who dedicated themselves to success. An organization is most successful when everyone participates. When everyone accepts that they are a part of the problem but can choose to be a part of the solution. Continued success is an entitlement for everyone in the organization not a chosen few.

PLATO said: “If a theory isn’t working then there must be something wrong with reality.”