“Those that say it can’t be done should get out of the way of those doing it”
Chinese Proverb
It Couldn’t Be Done by Edgar Albert Guest (circa 1917)
Somebody said that it couldn’t be done
But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it!
Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it;”
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.
There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure,
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.
A strange phenomena occurs when you announce your new plan, many people reject it. It is hardest when those closest to you are the greatest dissenters. Many of us take it as a sign that it is not meant for us, that perhaps they’re right, we should be happy with what we have. However, we can reframe a point of resistance as a milestone rather than a millstone. If we don’t get some resistance, then perhaps we are not aiming high enough.
When others discourage us, we need to see past their words. What do they really mean? Often friends and family do not want us to get hurt, they see a career change/entrepreneurial adventure/new study as a risk. Others may feel if we change they may lose us, we may no longer show interest in them. In some cases, if you change and progress in life, they see it as a reflection of their lack of change. If you change and they don’t where does it leave them?
In all cases, we must expect some resistance and remember that change is accelerating, so the need to reinvent is more necessary than ever before. This time of year is a time of reflection, many people find their values are in conflict with the companies they work for. Others feel they are stagnating, no longer growing and no longer learning. My message is that in a time of rapid change, we must reinvent in permanence, constantly adding new capabilities while letting go of old ways that no longer serve us. With all that in mind, there is a more sinister phenomena to watch out for, sometimes known as Tall Poppy Syndrome.
Tall Poppy Syndrome
In Politics, Aristotle tells the story of the 7th century BC tyrant named Thrasybulus. Thrasybulus asked his fellow oppressor Periander of Corinth how he should govern his people. He received the advice as not in words, but in the following way. Periander lopped off the heads of poppies, which were growing nearby. Thrasybulus understood this to mean “that it was necessary to make away with the eminent citizens”.
This is (one of) the origins of the term Tall Poppy Syndrome. Tall Poppy Syndrome refers to the mindset where those people who put their head above the parapet are resented, criticised and cut down. Tall poppy syndrome is the resentment or envy of success of others or peers, in Ireland we call it begrudgery.
To those who have a desire to change, an inkling deep within you, be strong, expect criticism and use it as fuel for the journey ahead. Don’t lose sleep over the opinion of sheep.
If you are aligned with this thinking and would like to explore a conceptual journey of change, you may like my forthcoming book: “Undisruptable” which promotes a mindset of permanent reinvention coming in March 2021. It is also available in a story-rich, visual and experiential course for organisations big and small.
