Imagine a massive herd of slow-moving mammals somewhere on the plains of the Serengeti (see “Planet Earth” for visualization assistance).
Animals in herds move slowly. They like to move slow. Moving slowly makes sense. It requires less energy. It ensures longevity. It ensures safety. And safety feels good; it’s comfortable. That’s how it works with animals in herds.
Ditto humans, particularly humans in herds. Herd = slow = safety = comfort.
It is probable that things move slowly when large groups of humans are involved because the groups collectively want things to move slowly. Or perhaps it is more accurate to say that some people want things to move slowly? I suspect this is the case in the vast majority of cases. Generally, a large portion of the group will want progress to be quick, but this smaller subset will seek to slow things down. They will want things to move slowly because they are afraid of the outcome. They will talk about failure, but failure isn’t the fear. The fear, you see, is in success.
Success means that you effected change. If you effect change, then you are on the hook for what comes next. If what comes next causes the ship to burst into flames, then…well…it’s your fault. It’s your responsibility. You and your damn change took the rest of us down.
Or, even worse, you and your damn change lifted the rest of us up! Now the expectations are higher! Now they want more out of us! Now…now how do we exceed expectations? If we don’t improve maintain or even incrementally improve this consistent, dependable level of mediocrity, how will we be able to prove our value over time? Why disturb the comfortable calm if even successful change puts everything at risk? If we burn all the fuel on ascent, then isn’t descent the only option?
The answer is yes/no/maybe/probably. The only way you can tell is to go for it. Go for it with 100% commitment. Whatever happens will be the launching pad for your next triumphant journey into orbit or your next fiery, explosive disaster in the clouds.
Regardless, when you’re up there, don’t forget to take pictures of the slow herd. They’ll want to see what they are missing.
Illuminate Possibilities 