How an organization views itself will help determine the success of change initiatives.
Half full, half empty – what is the difference? Is there a difference? The answer to the second question is a resounding YES! – There is certainly a difference! Appreciating this difference can have a profound effect on the lives of individuals and the organizations they inhabit.
“You move towards, become, that which you hold uppermost in your mind.”
Lou Tice
This simple phrase expresses a driving force for change and accomplishment. When an organization views itself as half empty, “empty” is held uppermost in the organization’s collective mind. From this perspective, the organization tends to focus on its shortcomings and failures. In half empty organizations, you hear talk about the walls and barriers that have kept the organization’s glass from being more full. Issues and problems are rooted out and held up as warnings about the difficulties involved in any attempt to make the organization’s glass more full.
Organizations that focus on “full” tend towards a deeper appreciation of the root causes of success. This appreciation creates belief in both the future and the organization’s ability to achieve that future.
When an organization views itself as half full, “full” is held uppermost in the organization’s collective mind. From this perspective, the organization focuses on its accomplishments and successes, and people within the organization talk about positive factors that led up to the accomplishments and successes. Organizations that focus on “full” tend towards a deeper appreciation of the root causes of success. This appreciation creates belief in both the future and the organization’s ability to achieve that future.
So what is the difference between half full and half empty? When an organizations holds “empty” uppermost in its mind, it moves towards becoming more empty. When it holds “full” uppermost in its mind, the organization moves towards becoming more full.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ron Wiens has spent the past 30 years helping organizations build high performance cultures. His most recent book, titled ‘Building Organizations that Leap Tall Buildings in a Single Bound’ is a leader’s guide to culture as competitive advantage. To contact Ron, send him an email at ron@ronwiens.com