5.6.2010

Stop Doing Committees.

You can’t have momentous results and group agreement. They just hate each other too much to play nicely together.

And to illustrate my point — Can you tell me one outrageous, world-changing success that emerged from the deep recesses of a committee?

Any medical breakthroughs? World peace? Hunger? Poverty?

We have the leading brain power in the world huddled in committees trying to solve these problems and the reality is that little good will likely ever come from the dialogue.

Sure. Results do come out.

The committee eventually decides on something. In fact, usually a majority in the committee can agree on a common plan of action.

But any results that are gained are usually at the cost of extraordinary ideas that could actually change the world.

Maybe I am being a little harsh. Maybe it’s better to have consensus than conquest. Maybe risk does need to be avoided.

Regardless of the debate, you have stop and ask yourself something more meaningful:

Why would you want to be part of something where the the standard of success is “Can we all agree on it” rather than “Will this change the world”?

Put aside pettiness or the frustration of dealing with others in the committee. Forget about the fact that you are investing your valuable time to effect change. Just think about the end goal.

Is that your goal for you?

Do you do things that are meaningless? Do you allow others to waste your time?

(Probably not. Right?)

So why do we make exceptions for mediocrity just because someone throws a “committee” label on something.

Believe it or not, a bunch of different factors that gang up on us to make us think that this whole “committee” thing might be a good deal:

Socially, we are expected to “play nicely” with other and make decisions for the “good of the group”. (Guilt)
Generationally, we have been trained that groups make better decisions that individuals. (Ignorance)
Personally, we like to feel important – part of an exclusive group. (Vanity)
Psychologically, we want to feel that a piece of our opinion is appreciated. (Insecurity)

It’s not an accident that you feel the need to give in and be a part of this sort of thing. Everybody from your mother to your therapist has been brainwashing you to be less than your best for the good of everybody else.

But is your frustration and stress really good for everybody else?

There are exceptions to bad committees.

Just like there are exceptions to the idea that if you put your hand in a blender, you will lose a finger or two.

You might come out OK. But are those the odds you want to play?

It’s hard to push back, but if you need help getting started you can borrow my standard answer: “No Committees. I don’t ‘do’ them.”

Help until it hurts. Give religiously. Just don’t waste your time on a committee.

That’s edgy. I know.

And it rubs people the wrong way sometimes, but the reality is that there is a world out there to change. Why are we locked up behind closed doors talking about it?

Let’s go do something.

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http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt

Thanks. Waiting to hear from those shooting holes in this notion… I pushed this out and had 6 new ideas I should have added. Dan
Peter

Great Post
- http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt
  
  Thanks. Waiting to hear from those shooting holes in this notion… I pushed this out and had 6 new ideas I should have added.
  
  Dan
Peter

Great Post
http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt

Thanks. Waiting to hear from those shooting holes in this notion… I pushed this out and had 6 new ideas I should have added. Dan
Peter

Great Post
Pingback: Vote on this article at blogengage.com
Anonymous

Dan, another great piece of thought!
While I am very selective in the endorsement of committees, to apply such broad, bold and potentially judgmental brush may not represent the only solution. Let me attempt to take another angle to some of your key points.
Your position: “Socially, we are expected to “play nicely” with other and make decisions for the “good of the group”. (Guilt) ” – could it be that the driver is respect for others?
“Generationally, we have been trained that groups make better decisions that individuals. (Ignorance)” – maybe it is collaboration that can create synergies and result into more that the sum of the individuals could generate?
“Personally, we like to feel important – part of an exclusive group. (Vanity)” – It might also help to build (self) confidence, a key factor to make better decisions?
“Psychologically, we want to feel that a piece of our opinion is appreciated. (Insecurity)” – Would that not also create buy-in and ownership of whatever is decided hence, fostering better execution?
While a committee is certainly not a solution for every problem, the general condemnation of committees may be “pouring out the baby with the bath water”. A quality committee with a clear charter, well defined expectations and the authority to act can be very valuable and productive – however, it will require quality participants to make things happen!
Just another view to reflect on…
Have fun!
Manfred
QLI International
- http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt
  
  Manfred,
  
  This is where I have to push back.
  
  You can always make the case that something bad can be sometimes, under certain circumstances a possible good thing.
  
  I agree with you that there are quality committees and there are quality committee members.
  
  But the odds are horrible. It’s kind of like playing a pair of two’s hard when you know that you are going to be beat. YES, you might win. But you suck as a poker player if you keep playing that hand….
  
  Dan
mgollent

Dan, another great piece of thought!
While I am very selective in the endorsement of committees, to apply such broad, bold and potentially judgmental brush may not represent the only solution. Let me attempt to take another angle to some of your key points.
Your position: “Socially, we are expected to “play nicely” with other and make decisions for the “good of the group”. (Guilt) ” – could it be that the driver is respect for others?
“Generationally, we have been trained that groups make better decisions that individuals. (Ignorance)” – maybe it is collaboration that can create synergies and result into more that the sum of the individuals could generate?
“Personally, we like to feel important – part of an exclusive group. (Vanity)” – It might also help to build (self) confidence, a key factor to make better decisions?
“Psychologically, we want to feel that a piece of our opinion is appreciated. (Insecurity)” – Would that not also create buy-in and ownership of whatever is decided hence, fostering better execution?
While a committee is certainly not a solution for every problem, the general condemnation of committees may be “pouring out the baby with the bath water”. A quality committee with a clear charter, well defined expectations and the authority to act can be very valuable and productive – however, it will require quality participants to make things happen!
Just another view to reflect on…
Have fun!
Manfred
QLI International
http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt

Manfred,This is where I have to push back. You can always make the case that something bad can be sometimes, under certain circumstances a possible good thing.I agree with you that there are quality committees and there are quality committee members. But the odds are horrible. It's kind of like playing a pair of two's hard when you know that you are going to be beat. YES, you might win. But you suck as a poker player if you keep playing that hand….Dan
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mgollent

Dan, another great piece of thought!
While I am very selective in the endorsement of committees, to apply such broad, bold and potentially judgmental brush may not represent the only solution. Let me attempt to take another angle to some of your key points.
Your position: “Socially, we are expected to “play nicely” with other and make decisions for the “good of the group”. (Guilt) ” – could it be that the driver is respect for others?
“Generationally, we have been trained that groups make better decisions that individuals. (Ignorance)” – maybe it is collaboration that can create synergies and result into more that the sum of the individuals could generate?
“Personally, we like to feel important – part of an exclusive group. (Vanity)” – It might also help to build (self) confidence, a key factor to make better decisions?
“Psychologically, we want to feel that a piece of our opinion is appreciated. (Insecurity)” – Would that not also create buy-in and ownership of whatever is decided hence, fostering better execution?
While a committee is certainly not a solution for every problem, the general condemnation of committees may be “pouring out the baby with the bath water”. A quality committee with a clear charter, well defined expectations and the authority to act can be very valuable and productive – however, it will require quality participants to make things happen!
Just another view to reflect on…
Have fun!
Manfred
QLI International
http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt

Manfred,This is where I have to push back. You can always make the case that something bad can be sometimes, under certain circumstances a possible good thing.I agree with you that there are quality committees and there are quality committee members. But the odds are horrible. It's kind of like playing a pair of two's hard when you know that you are going to be beat. YES, you might win. But you suck as a poker player if you keep playing that hand….Dan
http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt

Manfred,This is where I have to push back. You can always make the case that something bad can be sometimes, under certain circumstances a possible good thing.I agree with you that there are quality committees and there are quality committee members. But the odds are horrible. It's kind of like playing a pair of two's hard when you know that you are going to be beat. YES, you might win. But you suck as a poker player if you keep playing that hand….Dan
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http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

The reason I will no longer be participating in “panels” at conferences. What the fuck — are we afraid to hurt people’s feelings by not getting enough INPUT from EVERYONE? Do we all need to be validated by three other people before deciding something is something to MOVE on? Piss it. I’m about getting shit done, stumbling, falling, and standing back up so I can sprint to the next “What if…” and get that done, too. THIS. Goddamn, every conference organizer needs to read THIS.
- http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt
  
  I am right there beside you. It’s just not fun. It’s not how I want to spend my time.
  
  I got some personal emails (and a call) about how I am looking about this wrong. Hmmm… that tells me I am probably making the right decision all over again. :-)
  
  Dan

Stop Doing Committees.

Sure. Results do come out.

Is that your goal for you?

There are exceptions to bad committees.

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