If you have been to one of my training sessions there is fair chance that you have heard me rant about whack a mole management. Whack-a-mole is an arcade game in which you try to hit \u2018moles\u2019 that pop up randomly on a board using a rubber mallet. Every time you hit a mole, you get a point.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s fun and people experience a \u2018high\u2019 as pent-up energy is released by whacking the moles. The challenge of not knowing where the next mole is coming from adds to the excitement.<\/p>\n
Whack-a-mole management is based on the same principles.<\/p>\n
The challenges are the \u2018moles\u2019. As each challenge presents itself to managers, they hit it hard and fast with the hammer of position and conventional wisdom. Slam! They get one. Slam! They get another one.<\/p>\n
It requires quick decision making in a fast moving game. It\u2019s exhausting, but fun. Each night the players go home, knowing their job is safe because they have successfully \u2018whacked\u2019 enough organizational problems to stay for another day.<\/p>\n
Problem One: Whack-a-mole lures people in because it works in the short term Want to learn more? Try this blog post over at Slow Leadership<\/a><\/p>\n
\nProblem Two: Whack-a-mole management is more concerned with looking good than with being good.
\nProblem Three: Whack-a-mole management always <\/strong>ends by making things worse<\/p>\n