Unity through “adhering to what’s written” has saving value

I recognise that a “rebel in the camp” can work one of two ways and the determining factor is “motivation”.

Such an attitude can create disharmony or if it’s based on standing up for integrity, it has positive power.

No-one ever agrees on everything and this can be beneficial when it’s done respectfully.

Some of my best friendships have been formed with those who express a concern based on principle and not for self interest.

We all like strong people who are willing to point out faults in an idea or action.

The objective in a business is harmony and it can be disturbed by those who only trust their own thinking.

Let me illustrate:

I should say this is based on a true story.

A passenger aircraft at 36,000 feet suddenly had all four engines struggling, only to shut down completely.

At this height they knew they could glide a certain number of miles, which would fall short of any airport suitable for landing.

Efforts to re-fire the engines failed.

The manufacturer’s manual said the plane needed to dive steeply to 28,000 feet if the engines were to fire again.

The dilemma was that if it failed and height was lost they could not rise above mountains on their flight path.

There were two choices.

Dive or maintain their height? Both relied on faith and hope.

What did the crew in the cockpit decide?

They relied on the “written word” of the manufacturer and not human instinct.

They began to dive and at 28,000 feet engaged the engines.

Engines 2,3 and 4 failed.

Only engine 1 re-engaged but to great relief!

The type of aircraft involved is able to fly on one engine and the destination was reached with no serious incident.

263 passengers arrived late but safely.

Ash from a volcano was found to have entered the engines.

It had not been seen on the radar and so was impossible to diagnose.

The crew referred to the “manual” and trusted the guidance written.

Companies have written rules, guidelines and principles too.

They are for a purpose, to make us safe and create a harmonious consensus.

Our Board of Directors or our Boss may at times make decisions we don’t understand.

Expressing our concerns properly is fine but those with key responsibilities are the ones with the big picture and there are times we need to trust them to act in line with the “manual” when difficulties arise.

Nothing works when people refuse to co-operate.

Most things in life have happened in the past and those with experience have been trained to deal with them, writing a manual for such events to ensure quick, but relevant actions.

We may never even notice but we can be sure that being reasonable and calm in our dealings, we adhere to a well tried and tested approach to success.

Be strong but also ready to yield when greater experience can be trusted.