James, a former client who is now the head of global shipping strategy, said that “They are either too stupid to understand what they are doing, or they just don’t care.” How else can you explain the current situation in Silicon Valley?
James and I both agreed that Apple’s designs and narrative about artificial intelligence (AI), privacy and the company’s business model were good. Silicon Valley’s decisions show a growing disregard for technology and AI and their impact on the economy, society and the personal and professional lives of people.
Silicon Valley may be the epicenter of tech-related risks, but it is not the only one. Organisations in all sectors amplify the actions of their managers and employees by using technology, capital and networks.
It’s easier said than done
We are all responsible for how we exercise our power in the workplace.
Unfortunately, there is no direct link between a decision and the subsequent actions or results. Motivations are complex, and experiences are subjective. People are fickle while the environment is volatile. Change can have a multitude of knock-on effects.
The complexity of the situation requires that individuals and teams put in a lot of effort to ensure they are able to make decisions, take actions or provide products and services with sufficient care.
Recently, I found myself discussing with clients the importance of being “thoughtful” – to help navigate complexity, and make the most of the power that we possess in our workplaces.
“Thoughtful” in theory
The Oxford English Dictionary (“OED“) lists four meanings of “thoughtful“, each on ‘having thought or being characterized by it’.
1. a) Having a lot of thoughts; thinking fervently. (b) Willing to consider matters; prudent. (c) To be thinking about something, to be mindful; to have an intention or purpose.
2. Full of mental turmoil; anxious; sad, melancholy and moody (rare).
3. Intelligent, conscious (rare or obsolete), capable of thinking.
4. Consideration for others, kindness.
We have all encountered people who lack thoughtfulness. They act out of selfish motives or narrow-minded values.
James, the cynic, says that such people are incapable of intelligent thought, but one can still hope, since they are conscious. Of course, the same cannot be said about machines. Robots and artificial intelligence are not thoughtful. We ignore or forget this at our peril.
Considerate in action
What does being thoughtful mean in reality? Three interwoven imperatives are most notable.
1. Understand the consequences
To be thoughtful, you must first invest mental energy and time in understanding possible outcomes of your choices. There are some effects that are more likely to occur than others. This requires imagination and the ability to ask “Yes, but what else?”
Silicon Valley’s official strategy of profit and efficiency must be discarded to evaluate performance using better metrics. Imagine the daisy chain of events that could unfold. There are many possible scenarios and each one requires some thought.
While this is a non-fashionable viewpoint, not everyone can or wants to analyze complex situations. Power to influence outcomes must be based on a person’s or team’s ability: authority without competency causes harm.
2. People and society:
Second, the material outcomes affect individuals or society as a whole. Many of us are struggling to’show thought or consideration for other’s’ in our mechanised work world.
Being thoughtful is about paying attention to how choices affect people. We must also show empathy towards others.
It may not be easy for everyone to navigate complex questions with heart and mind. Should colleagues who don’t have time for “the people stuff” be trusted with product or strategic decisions? Most likely not.
3. Bring courage to your care
Thirdly, being thoughtful means to show care. Intelligence and empathy are of little use if you’re going to say, “Screw everybody else, I’m doing what’s right for me!”
It takes courage to look beyond the usual norms of career or shareholder growth. We risk alienating high-profile politicians and executives, as well as our friends and colleagues, when we reject the prevailing views on wealth, happiness, and purpose.
The third imperative is based on moral character and intelligence. Character is the most important factor for achieving good results through our power.
If we make a mistake, we should feel sorrow and melancholy, as suggested by the OED: new directions can emerge when you are “full of mental troubles”.
Be more thoughtful
Companies that are thoughtful and create value, as opposed to destroying it, will do so on three levels
- By cultivating a cultural which recognises intelligence and empathy.
- Reward teams who act in accordance with the three imperatives.
- Promote executives that are committed to thoughtful leadership.
Robots and AI cannot understand the world, care about people or consider outcomes. Being thoughtful is being human.
