Lead Sheep to Water?

Imagine if you will, the acquisition of and merger with another organization, each company equally well established and roughly the same in size. There are probably pain points everywhere during that time, for each individual and for the organization as a whole. If you have ever been through a merger then you know what I am talking about. I can simplify it by saying there can likely be too many chefs in the kitchen, but it isn't all bad, just a lot of growing pains. 

When I was in the midst of a similar circumstance I decided I needed to really lean in and grow my skillset, I decided I'd get the CPLP (Certified Professional of Learning and Performance) through ATD, which is now the CPTD (Certified professional of Talent Development). It's a 2 year exhaustive program with an exam and a work project applying the principles learned. It isn't easy, I learned a lot but back in the real world of business nobody seemed to care. However, it changed the way I thought about and approached work. It stimulated some strategic planning strengths that I had underutilized up to that point. It also reminded me of how much I love to study and learn. From there I started learning other specific skillsets and obtaining certifications for those too. As a result I had some really high points where I felt completely engaged and knew I was working to make a difference. I started really thinking about values and purpose and the importance of people aligning on values and purpose. But achieving alignment was forever elusive for me. I can try to explain it with this analogy:

A shepherd and their flock of sheep on a mission to a specific destination and they need to get there by a certain time (though the time is driven by personal desire of the shepherd rather than an actual drop dead time expiration) Between the starting point and the finish line lies a vast desert. The shepherd and the flock must cross this desert and to achieve the self-imposed time line they must move at an aggressive pace. They start the journey motivated and excited, filled with "I can" attitudes. After a while the flock is bleating and growing weary but the shepherd presses on urging "we can and we must" so the flock finds some energy deep within themself and continues even picking up the pace a bit. You are observing all of this and are routing for them but you can see sheer stamina won't get them there. You have an idea and you meet them with some desperately needed refreshments. You say if you take a bit of time here your energy will be restored and you will go farther. But the shepherd is worried that time is wasting so they say no to the refreshments, we don't have time for that we need to stay focused. The shepherd agrees to let the flock have a bit of water but that is it and they must move on. The flock wanting only to please turns away from the desired refreshments after having only a small drink and trudges on. You turn up again with different refreshments that will boost and energize everyone and say these refreshments can be consumed faster, it is not ideal but it is better than nothing. But still the shepherd waves you away and says later we must continue. They haven't even hit the half way mark yet and you begin to worry they won't make it at all. So you meet them again with yet newer refreshments made specifically for the flocks needs which should give them the energy they need even in short bursts and they can take some with them to have when they need it. Yet the shepherd said there is no time until they reach the destination. You can plainly see where they are headed, it's a ridiculous parallel to the old tortoise and the hare story, but they can't see it. You know that in the end, if they get to the finish line at all, they will have drained all of their energy and will not be able to sustain themselves when they get there. You watch and feel the pain but know you cannot help if they don't want it. Trouble is you can see the flock does want and need it but is unable to speak up outside of bleating but even that now takes too much energy. You also notice there are fewer in the flock than when they started out, what happened to them? You know how the story will end, the strongest sheep will make it to the destination but they will no longer care. Think of all the sheep you lost that would have grown stronger if given the refreshments they needed.

If they had aligned on purpose and value first and then together developed a plan to achieve their united purpose then the results would have been different. As it is even reaching the destination the goal will not be realized because there is few left to care. A good shepherd does not allow even one sheep to be lost.