I really like the scorpion and frog parable as a foundation for what we are up to at Real Power Research.
We see little value in being one dimensional; simply pointing at the problem or breakdown and enjoying the temporary satisfaction of being right.
We are interested in shining lights on places to look that might not be obvious, even to those in decision making positions.
Have you ever had a time in your life when, as you look back on it some time later, you know you weren't seeing things clearly? That happens to all of us, and it can happen to corporate decision makers as well.
If you aren't familiar with the scorpion and the frog parable, it is very short and simple.
One day there was a scorpion and a frog on a riverbank. The scorpion needed to cross the river, but it was too strong and he could not make it himself, so be politely asked the frog to carry him over. "You are an excellent swimmer and have a beautiful, broad back for me to ride on". Suspicious, the frog asked, "How can I be sure you won't sting me?"
"If I stung you we would both drown and die", replied the scorpion. Still skeptical, the frog asked the scorpion more questions, which the scorpion answered logically.
Finally agreeing, the frog allows the scorpion onto his back and began the swim across the river. Midway across the river, without a word, the frog feels the burning sting of the scorpion's venom quickly spreading across his back and body. As his body started to go numb and he felt himself sinking he asked the scorpion, "Why did you do that?! Now we both will drown!" To which the scorpion replied, "Because I am a scorpion, it is my nature".
I like this example because to me, the scorpion represents the compulsion of a public company to do one thing: drive shareholder value. Period. It is the nature of a public company, and in fact their legal mandate.
Too often, senior managers of these companies forget that they are not capable of swimming and forget they are riding on the backs of employees. These employees have the Real Power. They have the power to grow a company to unimagined levels with inspired action, invention and ingenuity, and they have the power to stunt growth and stagnate evolution by becoming "only for the money paycheck players".
The difference between the truly excellent companies and those who never seem to reach their potential is this realization - they are not the driving force of the company, the people are; they do not achieve growth by doing what any unskilled manager can do which is "drive revenue and cut expenses", indeed, they cannot cross the river without the frog and must resist their true nature temptation to think they can by stinging the frog.
Our primary objective at Real Power Research is to identify ways in which the scorpion can, in fact, cross the river AND have the frog benefit as well.
It may be a bit of a mindset shift for some, but I truly believe that over time and the repeatable demonstration that this approach is effective, that it will work to the benefit of all involved.
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