It was six men of Indostan, to learning much inclined, who went to see the elephant (though all of them were blind), that each by observation, might satisfy his mind…..
I was invited to run a strategy away day for the Tranzit Group. I turned up only to discover that it was in the Hutt Convention Centre. The last time I was here was at a Blue light disco. About 30+ years ago to be precise. No dance moves this time (they were never really particularly good!).
The CFO actually turned things a little on the head, and asked that I talk with his team around what strategy is all about. Easy right? Not really. We are overloaded with this stuff. I have my own views and perspectives. But I wanted to highlight that there is no perfect definition. It is a little like trying to describe an amorphous beast. Or lots of blind people describing an elephant.
To understand strategy it helps to understand how it has evolved, from the etymological origins, militarily, through to the birth of corporate strategy as we know it (1960s). Through to some common models and frameworks which all represent good academic vantage points (link in comments). None of them perfect. Just perspectives.
One of the attendees over coffee asked where I was teaching and thought I was a professor! As a 15 year old bogan, attending a blue light disco, I would have been deeply insulted. But I took that as a complement. Now with less hair. Mostly grey.
Flipview® simplify something inherently complex, but there is no one size fits all approach or definition of strategy.
And the descriptions of the elephant in the room – which they each took turns in reading….
The first approached the elephant, and, happening to fall,against his broad and sturdy side, at once began to bawl:"God bless me! but the elephant, is nothing but a wall!"
The second feeling of the tusk, cried: "Ho! what have we here,so very round and smooth and sharp? To me tis mighty clear,this wonder of an elephant, is very like a spear!"
The third approached the animal, and, happening to take,the squirming trunk within his hands, "I see," quoth he,the elephant is very like a snake!"
The fourth reached out his eager hand, and felt about the knee:"What most this wondrous beast is like, is mighty plain," quoth he;"Tis clear enough the elephant is very like a tree."
The fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said; "E'en the blindest mancan tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can,This marvel of an elephant, is very like a fan!"
The sixth no sooner had begun, about the beast to grope,than, seizing on the swinging tail, that fell within his scope,"I see," quothe he, "the elephant is very like a rope!"
And so these men of Indostan, disputed loud and long,each in his own opinion, exceeding stiff and strong,Though each was partly in the right, and all were in the wrong!
(source: John Godfrey)
