Destroy ‘status quo’ feelings for diversity – HR essence from nature

How to bring new order, diversity and vibrancy in the corporate ecosystem is the most bothering question of the leaders of most corporate. In other words they wonder when the system is going smoothly although it is not growing much in tune with the expectations why to disturb the system is the other possible thinking that stops people from experimenting anything new.

Imagine a grass land ecosystem which is dominated by the herbivores animals bound to over graze and thus automatically limit the population of the grasses. When grasses are not available lack of food for the grazing animals naturally decrease their population and that in turn would facilitate the regeneration of the green cover. A mutual dependency and control of each other and harmonious co-existence thus happens in most ecosystems and that is how the balanced ecosystem is maintained. The question is should such cybernetic system be allowed to continue or it should be disturbed if one wants newness and diversity?

Most of the corporate leaders will be in such dilemma whether to disturb the corporate ecosystem or the status quo should be maintained. This situation is true even with employees also as most of them would never question the status quo and instead would prefer to endure with the same organization despite being talented and deserving.

Experiments have shown that when carnivores’ animals were introduced into the grass land habitat that was dominated by herbivores animals, the result was amazing. The carnivores animals started to control the population of the herbivores and as a result, the availability of green cover got increased, which in turn had invited several insects, insect eating birds, bird of prey, rodents etc., thus making the ecosystem very diverse, rich and vibrant. The ecosystem was otherwise for herbivores and grasses.

Corporate must question the status quo even if it is running smoothly and harmoniously. Only when the status quo is questioned and challenged, the next level of shift is possible. The next level of possible growth of the corporate is delayed and denied by allowing the status quo to remain due to the undue worries of the leaders as why the system has to be disturbed when it is running smoothly.

Accepting an ecosystem which is well balanced and also it has reached the state of stability, remember such acceptance is end of newness. In the case of natural ecosystem we can accept such climatic climax state but accepting such situation will never helps the growth of any organization. Instead of looking for stability, look for diversity and vibrancy.

Is the stability trap that is greatly affecting most people to go unto their real potential or make the people often to settle with what is available than what really they can achieve?

People must question and be willing to encounter change. The change is possible only if one finds freedom from the present and is willing to disturb the state of being to become something new. The biggest roadblock most corporate are facing is not due to lack of resource or lack of idea but are unwilling to question the harmony and stability.

Questioning the harmony should not be seen as creating noise and fury but it should be a pleasant journey to understand how the harmony and want of stability is affecting the growth and prosperity. Do not be process centric and develop bindings upon the system but continuously question, change and move away to newer zones really if aspires to grow.

Dr S Ranganathan has authored the following books

1. Nature – The vicar of corporate management essentials
2. Anthology of HR insights from wildlife
3. Nature- the omniscient master of corporate wisdom

S Ranganathan