Getting an Outside Perspective

I listen to my wife tell me something a dozen times and choose to ignore the validity of her point, but then to hear the same thing from someone else, especially someone I deem credible, convinces me (by the way this works in reverse as well - I can say something a dozen times to my wife to be politely ignored . . . until she hears the same thing from someone else and suddenly its a "fact").  I don't think we are unique in this or there wouldn't be consultants.

I've worked at companies which hired consultants whose recommendations were no better or different, and often worse, than those who were working at the front lines of the organization.  However, the ideas and recommendations of the front line workers was ignored while the consultant's recommendations, for which significant sums were paid, were embraced.

Jesus said a prophet in his own land is ignored and this is true for more than prophets.  Our willingness to embrace the word of the "expert" from outside versus the ideas and our internal staff is mind boggling!  In fact, in many organizations the creativity and imagination of the internal staff to address weakness in systems and process is routinely and systematically eliminated in favor of conformity in the name of productivity.  This is sad because, when encouraged, the front line workers have the ability to bring great ingenuity in solving problems and improving systems, particularly when encouraged to collaborate toward those ends.

However, it does mean that when these workers are encouraged to THINK they will also be able to spot insincerity and unethical practices more readily; something a consultant would be unlikely to spot from their brief exposure to the company.  So, the best plan if you know your culture isn't quite in line with your administrative practices is to keep hiring consultants and bind your employees with strict policies and procedures.  On the other hand, if you are genuinely interested in integrity, sincerity, and people, then encourage them to THINK, listen to what they have to say, and then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!