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Flannery O’Connor called herself a “counterweight” to the "prevailing heresy" of her time – writers who made life sound like a bucolic fairytale. These columns are pale imitations of O’Connor. They act as counterweights to make your head tilt… and perhaps see the prevailing heresies of our time.
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January 16th, 2012 at 11:06 am
Often the Devil’s Advocate is the one who simply states the obvious – the one who says the emperor has no clothes on.
Proverbs 27:5: Better an open rebuke than hidden love.
January 16th, 2012 at 11:16 am
Guilty as charged, most likely. In a SMALL company – 3 ladies and me – this could definitely be a problem. I will pass this to them as required reading. And then tell them to each come up with one well defined criticism of what we are doing, how we are doing it, or one opportunity that we are missing. “Tell me what I am not seeing, hearing, smelling…..” I hope I have established a culture of honest feedback with no retaliation or need to be a “boss pleaser.” But, with no Devil’s Advocate how would I know?
When I was a submarine captain I knew that there were a LOT of things that went on aboard the ship to which I was not privy. I ALWAYS kept the door to my stateroom open at sea. The passageway outside the CO’s stateroom was a congregating place for off watch sailors to shoot the breeze. CO’s I had on my other 4 ships chased sailors away, and frequently shut their doors, preferring peace and quiet. After several nights at sea with me as a new CO, I remember overhearing sailors speculate on why I left my door open. I guess they never figured out that my best source of “intel” was overhearing their candid conversations. For three years I acted totally indifferent to their noise and chatter, but I learned more about the crew and what was going on that way than through any official channel.
Maybe it is time to “listen up” here at my business.
McDonald
January 16th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Thanks, Mike! Great reminder. I remember watching the muppets as a child (I know, no wisecracks). My favorite characters were, and still are, the ‘two old guys in the balcony.’ I have often thought that everyone needs two old guys in the balcony reminding us that we are full of pooh
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
January 16th, 2012 at 11:54 pm
I never considered this before. Thanks.
January 20th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
TELL IT LIKE IT IS (NOT LIKE IT AIN’T)
A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet. (Proverbs 29:5)
Honest employees are valuable company assets.