Taking the Plunge

One of the hardest things to do is to start a new activity, especially if there are some risks attached (and aren't there always some risks?), and especially if you are in the limelight, it's hard. Nobody likes to make mistakes, nobody likes to play the fool, nobody likes to admit their ignorance about something they're expected to know. It's human nature to be cautious, to avoid embarrassment, and that urge for caution goes up as the risk of a downside outcome increases. But there is also a risk posed by inactivity, and too often we tend to underestimate that risk, while overestimating the risk of taking on a new project.

It's often said, "There is no better teacher than experience." And the older I get, the more wisdom I find in that statement.

Two years ago, a city official at a round table on broadband expressed skepticism about Wi Fi and said that the municipal wireless industry was like a fast-rushing stream, and they were waiting for the current to slow down a little before jumping in. Internally, I shook my head, because our world views are so far apart. I think that that individual will be waiting for a long, long time, because I don't think the current in this stream will ever slow down - my world view is that if anything, it will speed up as time goes on. We're in a period of disruptive change, thanks to the maturing Internet, advances in digital computing, advances in mobile communications, etc., etc., etc. Technology advances and Competition combine to create pressure on us to adapt and move forward, even as the pace of change makes planning horizons ever shorter.

The choices we face are expanding over time and our decisions get more complicated over time, not less. To hope for a simpler decision is to delay taking a stand out of fear of making a mistake - I believe that is fair and understandable, especially in this industry. The only solution I can think of is to get smart and to gain experience as quickly as possible.

But as I discussed in the blog earlier this week about Wicked Problems, the nature of metropolitan broadband is that it is complex and dynamic on at least three fronts - technological, political, and business - so it is going to be complex and risky, no matter what you do. This argues for taking steps to mitigate your risk and allow you to get started sooner than later.

1. Spend a little time in study, but not too much - as with any new subject area, most of the gains come in the early stages, then the value curve gently flattens out and the more inputs made in studying a subject produce less and less value. Academic study will only take you so far, and at some point, time spent studying becomes "Paralysis by Analysis."
2. Hire a consultant - this is a way for a city official to buy immediate knowledge and experience, collapsing the learning curve, substituting money for time. (email MetroNetIQ here if you are nodding your head in agreement.)
3. Identify possible negative outcomes and prepare for them - talk to some other city officials who have gone before you, ask them - what worked and didn't? what were your lessons learned? what would you do differently if you had to do it over again? when did you know you were ready to act?
4. Start a small project with a short horizon - making the outcome less risky by design, and bringing in results sooner than later, both serve to accentuate the experience value of initiative. A project will provide an opportunity to get several stakeholders involved, produce learning across the board, stimulate dialogue, build trust, and prepare everyone to take more and bigger steps.

If you know that

a) the situation gets more complicated over time
b) there are significant advantages to moving ahead
c) the risks of moving ahead can be managed
d) the problem is a "wicked problem," one whose solution will only become apparent by trial and error

There is no substitute to getting started by jumping in, Taking the Plunge.

There is no fun in standing at the edge of the pool.

Just ask any kid who has learned to swim if they regret the decision. I think you know the answer.

Then ask an adult who never learned to swim if they regret that omission. I think you know the answer to that question as well.

There is no substitute for living life fully, and for pushing out the envelope to be all that you can be, whatever your role in life.

Remember:
1. No Risk, No Reward.
2. No Pain, No Gain.
3. Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained.
4. The Early Bird Gets the Worm.

(OK, remember also: A. Fools Rush In, Where Angels Fear to Tread. and B. Pioneers End up with Arrows in their Backs.)

A little belatedly, it strikes me that I've been advocating the First Habit of Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People . The reference is at the very bottom of the list, so scroll down.

So I'll let The 7 Habits have the last word here. These habits are always lurking in the background whenever I write, it seems.

1. "Be Proactive." Take Initiative.
2. "Begin with the End in Mind." Have your goals in front of you, know WHY you are doing what you are doing.
3. "First Things First." Make a plan and set priorities according to your values and objectives.
4. "Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood." Listen first when you engage with others.
5. "Practice Win/Win." Look for solutions that are robust with multiple wins.
6. "Synergize." Set your goals high. Through creativity, find solutions that are better than compromise, solutions which leverage all that you bring to the table.
7. "Sharpen the Saw." Take the time to rejuvenate. Pause as you move forward to consolidate your gains, understand your Lessons Learned, and to Re-energize yourself and your team, for the new challenges that lay ahead.