Encountering the Stars (and Stripes): The Problem with the Guru Mentality a personal experience.
Why is it that Americans always seem to have an answer? Now, before I progress let me make it clear that I have nothing against Americans per se, and in fact know many who could not be put in the category I am about to articulate. NonethelessI have noticed an alarming trend. There have been several experiences over many years that have contributed to me arriving at this opinion. But let me share a fresh experience that merely underscores the point being made.
Both these fresh observations come out of attending two Leadership conferences in Shanghai. Both involve watching and listening to the visiting American leadership Gurus that have come here (over the past two years) to share their insights. Both have come with impressive credentials and big reputations. Both have vast experience and certainly have good points worthy of attention. Both are best selling authors. Both are articulate and confident. Both offered solutions or best practices that were about their way – aka the American way of doing things. And I am sure that both would deny this and point to a global effectiveness within their sphere of influence.
And here is my issue: both seem not to listen. I found myself baulking at their quick fire, ready-made and slick answers. No hesitation, no clarifying question… just the answer wrapped, packed, sealed and delivered. They seemed unable to hear the question, to ask the question (why would you if you already have the answer?) much less pause in the space that the question invites. Both seem strangers to the gift that the question offers that space where you get to hear others, where you get to learn of a better way. For, there always is a better way. Neither, in both their formal and, as far as I could determine, their informal manner, explored the gift of the question.
During one tea break a group of us were pondering some of the more paradoxical points of coaching when the one Guru joined the group. Naturally his opinion was sought. Naturally he gave an answer offering a sweeping global formula (his technique). Naturally he didn’t hear the (small) questioning voice that challenged his opinion once he had had finished. And so the gift of the pause was lost. After sharing his wisdom (without so much as asking a question of those assembled) he moved on, no doubt to impart his wisdom elsewhere. The irony for me was that he was a coach (with some impressive CEOs as clients I might add) and the focus of his keynote address was about the virtue of listening and asking questions. And here he was in our tea group where he didn’t do either – where he didn’t join the conversation but rather took it ransom. Something that was to be repeated around the dinner table that same evening.
One possible explanation for this behaviour from the Gurus could be that they don’t really believe that they have anything to learn. After all they are the Gurus. They are the Teachers. This is even more staggering when put against the backdrop of the reality that for one of the Gurus, it was his very first trip to China and yet he still came with an answer as to how best to do leadership. How can anyone think they have a grasp on global leadership without an experiential knowledge of China? In fact his keynote could have been that given to a group of New Yorkers for all the contextualisation apparent. A display of cultural arrogance that is mind-boggling!
This has been helpful for me. Why? Well I am sure that what I have witnessed and experienced, I too have been guilty of. I know I have. As a mirror this has been an invaluable lesson and I hope I never become guilty of this again. In fact if you catch me in this bubble of self… please prick it. Hopefully there won’t be too much mess as a result!
P.S. Sitting in the conference with a table of Chinese participants we were asked to do a small group exercise (by the Guru). Well, our table talk strayed somewhat from the assigned task and interestingly ended up confirming my earlier suspicions: transporting American Best Practice with little regard to the local context is well, like invading Iraq. Enough said.
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Re the US, this is the nation that gave us terminology such as “can-do!”, “get-go!”, “step it up!”, “top gun!”, “go-to!” etc etc. I work for a global (ie US) organisation where the US folks can ALWAYS be relied on to make things happen when we have a “situation” on our hands. We have “must do!” and “forced march” targets, “must win battles”, and sales reviews are called “cadences” (a drum beat). These guys are driven and competent. Sure some have trouble understanding other cultures, but they are not unique in that regard.
So, I think Guru’s are bad listeners regardless of where they live or come from (just look around in SA). They have been talking to and at people for years, some become legends in their own lifetime and others legends in their own lunchtime! When dealing with mere mortals like you and me I think they feel the pressure to perform, even in a tea break. Remember, being perceived as an expert is their bread and butter, and since they are making buckets of cash doing this, why would they want to stop and listen?
And Americans…I reckon working in an environment that can fire you with 24 hours notice does create a culture where answers feel more appropriate than questions. Even here in SA there IS such a thing as a stupid question – just ask one at your next new client meeting and see how forgiving they are! So, we shy from asking questions for fear of looking incompetent or ignorant, but when we ask it several of our colleagues breathe a sigh of relief that someone clarified the point at hand!
So, what I am saying is this…..Guru’s have trouble listening because they make their money out of talking. They may not be concerned about learning much more because the world is lapping up some of their formulaic gumpf and paying handsomely regardless.
Americans do have the same roots as Dubya, but do not all share the same hearing impediment.
I’ve read a lot about people who write books, people who claim to have The Answers. They think they have answers, but I also think many of them are doing this for the money, not because they have The Answers.
My thinking is that there may be different ways of asking a question, some of which are more productive than others. Of course, that may depend on the person being asked the question. An example:
“My view of how to best increase innovation in the work place. based upon my own experience, is…….So, given that, what’s your take on the problem?”
Hopefully a more considered response would be forthcoming. My experience is somewhat more limited than yours, and is intuition-based more than anything else.
BTW, I do believe Dubya is listening.