That guy is a “Loose Cannon”
Posted on | September 4, 2009 | 2 Comments
As an anti-complacency expert I am often viewed as a “loose cannon” or “trouble maker” . What I have realized over the years is that when you hear these descriptions about yourself you had better run far away from that organization as fast as you can. You are in the wrong role, in the wrong organization with the wrong leadership. It took me a while to figure this out, and ever since I did my work life has been 100% better.
These are the descriptions given to the people that may be the most valuable to your organization. These folks ask the stupid questions. They also ask why? They are willing to get on board with ideas and change, they offer lots of ideas themselves. They are usually very persuasive (ever think someone was trying to submarine you and your agenda by ganging up on you?) and people seem to magically gravitate to them and want to be around them and work with them.
So why is it that these people get moved around or out of an organization?
This happens because of poor leadership, poor strategy or a myriad of other reasons. The list is long. If I break it down in one of my personal terms… I think it simply means there is no “Change” process. Without good leadership you will probably not have this anyway but even with a good leadership team often the communication process gets in the way and there is a break down. It does not matter if we are talking about a Fortune 100 organization or 3 guys in a garage, the philosophy and approach remain the same.
There are things that can be done to understand and use a “change” process as an advantage. It does not mean things change every 3 days, it means you understand how to manage your organization in a way that makes it possible to uncover opportunity, risk, ideas, new business models, etc… Here it is the word of the year… INNOVATION…
So, if you want to “Stay Ready, so you don’t have to Get Ready” when your market shifts or competition is kicking your tail all over town you better think about the “Loose Cannon”. Maybe they should not be fired. Maybe they should be used the way they want to be used. We will save the psychology of it for another post.
The “Loose Cannon” may be able to help you find growth, innovation, more customers, more employees like them, etc, etc…
Tags: Change Management > Communication > employee > Human Capital > Innovation > Leadership > Organizational Development > Strategy
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About Coley
Coley Perry is a 15 year veteran of the sales and marketing grind. Most of his experience is in and around the intersection of sales, marketing, change management, technology and business process helping clients solve business problems through innovative solutions and consulting. He has built sales teams, go-to-market strategies, demand generation engines and sustainable revenue streams. Currently his passion is focused on the convergence of sales, marketing and technology. He wrote a lot of checks to Columbia College and Northwestern University but learned the most from The “Second City” Training Center in Chicago where he studied the Art of Improv.
September 29th, 2009 @ 3:46 pm
Coley, excellent article! There are those smart enough to surround themselves with these folks .. and those not smart enough to know when they’ve found the Golden Goose ..
Enjoyed this .. thanks
November 19th, 2009 @ 9:47 am
Spot on Coley – especially the description around what is ‘lost’ or what I term the opportunity cost.
When leadership loses an appetitite for risk around small innovations that’s when the ‘ship’ gets lost and loses navigational power…
Great post!