CONFORM,
OR PERISH… IS THAT THE WAY?
Why
do we let the world dictate to us? Don't use that colour with this, dont mix x
spice with y, don't keep this dish with that, dont wear that with this, dont do
this, dont do that? So, in other words, we live by external rules? No
individual expression? Our self worth is determined by what others think? Is
that how thinkers and creaters imagine the unimaginable? Perhaps the biggest
aspect of this is that the deleterious impact of this sad habit which
percolates and permeates into every sphere of human activity, including
profession and family both.
LEARNING THE NEW,
UNLEARNING THE OLD
There
is little, if any, scope for true individuality. How can we grow out of our
current ability and realise potential if we limit ourselves by this pressure to
suppress individuality? This is central to imagination, growth, development,
and forward / upwards movement. How can we
unlearn the old and learn the new if we ourselves constantly pressure others to
conform to their ideals of behaviours, opinions, views? Every experiment is frowned
upon; and every trial looked at with a combination of superiority complexed arrogance
plus disdain.
There
is a strong linkage of experimentation of any kind with the undesirable, which
- combined with the social pressure to conform, plus an environment wherein
questioning established opinions / norms is just not acceptable – leads to lack
of innovation, experimentation and individuality. And is that how in business
you anticipate the future trends? Is that how you imagine, dream new ideas? Perhaps
that is why Smaller Companies and Startups do one hell of a lot more innovative
thinking, ideation and trials than the bigger organisations. This pressure is
significantly lower in these companies, plus one more aspect – these are generally
ideators.
THE PRESSURE TO CONFORM
This
is a general observation and increasing trend. There is a constant pressure,
societally defined, of slots, and the attempt to slot people into pre-defined
definitions. Both Left and Right, and even Center, have this tendency. This is
a general societal habit, as well as a professional need. You have to conform,
you have to slot yourself and your choices as per some predefined rules.
Seperate issue that the majority of ideas that lead to genuine lasting change /
inventions / discoveries have originated OUTSIDE the formal framework setup by
our society or outside larger companies.
This
is testimony to the simple reality that society and its "rules" are
wrong. One has to be an individual. Experiment. Do as per your mind directions,
independent of societal norms {but within boundaries of scriptures, laws,
ethics, morality} - and be your own person, not a copy-cat version of some
predefined vague idea. That is the goal of all Rightist and Leftist tendencies.
And that is also why genuine new ideas ALWAYS originate outside the societal or
organisational framework - a mute testimony to the failure, nay - abject
failure - of our society, as well as of large companies.
ORGANISATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
From
a company perspective, this needs much more careful thought, and is not to be
rushed in blindly; the basis of organisations are strong processes. And too
much flexibility & innovation in that is just plain stupid, there is no
other word for it. Yet, despite this, careful thought needs to be put in to
ensure systemic dynamism, flexibility and operational leeway in an environment
that foster thinking, independence and innovative thought. This needs deep
changes in the HR-L&D-OD-Strategy domain to be implemented, to create an
atmosphere where innovation and experimentation is encouraged. More of that later,
in another article…
CONCLUSION
Moral
and Learning : Be an individual, not an automaton, not a robot. You are a human
being. Make your own rules! And find ways to encourage this innovation, this
individuality within the scope of organizational norms and rules. The benefits
of the same will be tremendous, as the company will realise newer better ways
to perform, to achieve objectives, as well as be a lot more flexible towards
market changes and movements.
As
I wrote in my earlier article on this - Why must we force people to conform to
a certain type? Why cant we accept each individual as unique, a true wonder of
God? Doesn’t being human give us intellect and the ability to choose for
ourselves basis our own capabilities? Why be something we are not? Animals do
not have this ability to choose, or the intellect and skills to create. If we
depress individuality, aren’t we calling into question the very basis of our
humanity? This is a question that all of you have to answer for yourselves…
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