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Success Breeds Failure: Dynamics of an Economy in Transition

By Carol McClelland

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 10Aug2009 Word count: 1326 Viewed: 217 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

A number of years ago, I wrote my Master thesis on a psychological tendency that's referred to as "Success Breeds Failure." Basically the premise is that when companies are at the top of their game, grabbing market share at a rate that amazes everyone, they have a tendency to stop paying attention to the marketplace. They don't pay as much attention as they should to changing market conditions, customer feedback, competitors, and developments in technology. Then, one day, they wake up to discover they are on the brink of... failing.

Of course they didn't really fail overnight. Those at the top of the organization just didn't notice or attend to the clues and signs that their business environment had changed. At first the signs were probably fairly subtle, but then they started to snowball. Those guiding the company missed the opportunity to make subtle adjustments to the business strategy. When they did finally notice what was befalling them, there were so many problems to attend to it was hard to know what to do to turn the entire business around.

In other words, success bred failure. Research literature demonstrates this tendency exists in companies and with individuals.

The phrase, success breeds failure, comes to mind more and more frequently as I scan news of the green economy.

- How many company leaders, industry leaders, and politicians are resting on their history of market domination and success?

- How many are missing the signs that the economic climate that led to years of success is changing?

- How many are holding on to their "successful business model" for dear life?

- How many are convinced that this "green stuff" is just a fad?

Then, on the other, hand...

- How many are sensing that what worked in the past isn't going to work in the future?

- How many are investing time, energy, and resources to understand the realities of the new economic climate...and the new environmental climate?

- How many truly understand how significantly this new reality is going to change the way we live, work, and do business in the United States and around the world?

- How many are taking actions as quickly as possible to revamp their businesses, industries, and political mindset?

Finding Inspiration and Hope in the Changing Economy

The reality is our world is changing. Whether we like it or not, the way we've lived in the past isn't going to be the way we live in the future.

If we drag our feet and resist this change, we actually make it worse. We increase the likelihood that we'll wake up one day as a society and realize it is too late to turn things around.

- If we run out of oil, and we don't have back up energy sources in place, imagine how different our daily lives will be. (How will you get to work? How will you heat your home?) (By the way, this isn't such a pipe-nightmare (bad pun intended). New scientific data released earlier this week indicates that the world's oil supplies are dwindling faster than projected. For more specifics on this side of the story read this article.) (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/warning-oil-supplies-are-running-out-fast-1766585.html)

- If the temperatures rise, by even a few degrees, and we haven't prepared for more fires, droughts, and rising see levels, imagine how different our daily lives will be.

If, on the other hand, we take actions today and continue to take actions into the future, we can make a difference. If we each find jobs that allow us to spend our work life creating innovations, inspiring people to change their behaviors, and redesigning how our world is built, then we can turn things around. There's no way to know, in the moment, whether all of the actions we take will be "completely successful," but it's pretty clear that if we don't take these actions we will be very unsuccessful.

As I research various green industries for my book, I am ASTOUNDED by the amount of innovation, technology, and actions that are ALREADY being taken by many industries, professions, companies, and individuals throughout the world. We are NOT starting at ground zero here. Many scientists and experts believe we already have the technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions dramatically. It's really a matter of getting to work to make it happen! (Sorry to yell, but I'm a tad bit passionate about this...

Making Peace with the Changing Economy

To get to work we must, all of us, change our relationship with the changing economy.

- Accept that familiar industries will be changing. Although it'd hard to imagine that our way of life will change dramatically, it's important to realize that generations before us saw their life styles change over time. My 102 year old cousin lived from 1905 until 2007. Imagine all the changes she saw. Industries, products, and ways of life came and went during that time period. It's going to happen again. And if we are smart and act sooner rather than later, our new life style doesn't have to be a minimalistic, stark existence. With forethought and innovation, new industries, products and ways of life can develop that make much more sense for us, for the planet, and for our pocket books.

As you live your life, pay attention to the parts of your daily existence that could be improved if efficiency, sustainability, and waste reduction were woven in. Perhaps you'll see the kernel of a new invention or business as you rethink your own way of life.

- Let go of industries that are unsustainable. Industries that depend heavily on carbon-based fuels are not sustainable. Whether we are nearing a peak oil situation at this moment or not, is a moot point when you realize that the energy needs of all of the people on the planet are going to outstrip the oil fields at some point in the next several decades. Sure, using all of that fuel is going to play havoc with the environment, and if you are an environmentalist, that's definitely a painful outcome to consider. But forget about the environmental side of this equation for a moment. This is really a question of supply and demand. Any time demand outstrips supply, you end up with no supply. Without oil, our current way of life is toast!

If you work in a company or industry that's part of the carbon-based economy, face the music... now. You don't have to give notice today, but recognize that you will need to make some choices in the future. Take the time now to prepare for your future. Identify your target green niche. Then get some training, start reading books, and volunteer in ways that will help you transition to your new career.

- Move toward industries that are growing in a sustainable way. Entire industries and companies within other industries are making great headway when it comes to rethinking how they do business. By becoming more sustainable, efficient, and gentler on the Earth, these companies ARE the wave of the future. Although these transformations will take some time to unfold, there is plenty of evidence that change is happening.

Begin now to pay attention to what's happening around you. It's never too early to start tracking developments in your favorite green industry or profession or your local region. The more you know about what's happening, the more inspired you will be to play your part, and the easier it will be to find your place in this new world of work. Take actions in your own community to build your green experience portfolio. Say yes to opportunities to participate in a project at work or in your community. Small steps will move you toward your green career faster than taking no steps at all. You may be surprised how quickly larger opportunities come your way as a result of the small steps you take now.

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