The Map Is Not The Road

Recently, I was part of a group discussion in which a number of people, engaged in a research project, were concerned that the ‘scientific method’ that they had constructed was being thwarted.

The neat map of how they thought things should be going bore little resemblance to that which was being experienced by the people delivering the particular product to customers.

In business, we can sometimes fall into the trap of becoming so enamored by the way we think things ought to be that we ignore what is actually happening on the ground.

Therefore, we must take care not to confuse our mental images with the road. We do so at our own peril. We should always be keeping our eyes on what is actually happening and questioning our theories of management against this reality.

It is in our examining the gap between what is and what should be happening that we discover our greatest insights and opportunities for innovation in our business.