Excellence University Journal

Decreasing “BS”: Moving away from facades

by Dr. Brian Higley

April 2nd, 2007

Carl Rogers’ belief that cutting down on “B.S.” is a major idea put forth by such “candor advocates” as Jack Welch, Stephen Covey, and Jim Collins.  Rogers believed that being more of who you really are decreases the wasted time, energy, and money that comes with having to constantly put up a front. Welch believed this authenticity resulted in fewer subversive political games, fewer low-grade excuses for not getting things done, and more problems being placed squarely on the table to work out more quickly.

Along these same lines, psychological researchers Deci and Ryan have found that allowing people to authentically choose what they want to do within an organization increases internal motivation, which Jim Collins observed creates less weight on management, due to less need to “motivate” others.  Those who are pursuing goals that they are authentically passionate about need much less management and outside motivation to do so.  In his 8th Habit, Stephen Covey wrote about how allowing people to be who they are leads to more investment/loyalty, which in turn increases organizational excellence.

A final note here: my good friend and colleague John Spence might say that increasing candor often helps an organization win “The War for Talent.” More people will stay in an organization that allows them to be more of who they really are and do more of what they really want to do.

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Article Filed under: I. WATER (Team/Group Excellence)