GOOD TO GREAT CHAPTER 8

It is time for our collaboration on Chapter 7. Your responses are due by Thursday, May 4 @ 3 pm.

Please respond to the following statements with well thought-out responses.

1. Explain in your own words the "Flywheel Effect." (please more than 2 sentences)

2. Explain in your own words the "Doom Loop." (please more than 2 sentences)

** Please to not repeat someone else's words**

3. Does your organization need transformation? If so, what needs to be transformed? If not, why not?

4. It is the responsibility of the individual to find self- motivation, align themselves with their organization's vision
and mission, determine their commitment level to their organization and ensure that they are developing on a professional
level. Agree or disagree and Explain. (Please write at least a paragraph).

1. Explain in your own words the "Flywheel Effect." (please more than 2 sentences)
The Flywheel Effect refers to the author’s contention that good-to-great companies build momentum and generate enthusiasm in their employees by a gradual and continuous improvement which ends with effective results. When employees see that each small step contributes to that success, the theory goes, they will all enthusiastically line up with the company goals and mission. Although some companies appear to have made swift, dramatic change, most became great by a slow, methodical approach. There is buildup of small successes that each push the “flywheel” a little bit, resulting eventually in unstoppable momentum.

2. Explain in your own words the "Doom Loop." (please more than 2 sentences)
In contradiction to the “flywheel effect” is the “Doom Loop.” Here we have companies that attempt to make radical change through innovative and often untested programs. These companies often do not take the time to determine the reasons for the problems which they are attempting to fix, which causes them to institute programs that are ineffective. Beyond their ineffectiveness, the programs tend to stop the momentum of the company (its flywheel effect) because they change the direction of the company in mid-stream. The company will then find itself needing to implement another program to fix the problems started by the first program. This lurching back and forth from program to program—one direction to another direction—eventually results in the “Doom Loop.”  

3. Does your organization need transformation? If so, what needs to be transformed? If not, why not?
Our organization needs no transformation. It runs well. Teachers understand its mission and strive to make it succeed.  

4. It is the responsibility of the individual to find self- motivation, align themselves with their organization's vision and mission, determine their commitment level to their organization and ensure that they are developing on a professional level. Agree or disagree and Explain. (Please write at least a paragraph).
Of course it is the responsibility of the individual to motivate himself. Who else’s responsibility could it be?? It is also his or her responsibility to “align themselves with their organization’s vision and mission. That is part of their job responsibility. Determining their commitment level and growing professionally is a matter of self-reflection in which everyone should be engaged throughout their career.

1. The 'flywheel effect' is the contention that small, focused, positive changes, implemented over time add up to greatness. Momentum is a force vector. Organizational momentum is achieved through continual improvement and the delivery of results. Step forward consistent with the hedgehog concept and momentum will build. Abandon the hedgehog concept, lose focus, lose momentum and enter the "Doom Loop."
2. Lack of fidelity to core principles results in constant change. Constant change cannot build momentum. An object at rest has no momentum. When an organization loses its 'raison d'etre' it founders upon the shoals of the next big program, the latest technological fad. Eventually it loses its focus, loses its momentum, loses its market share, then loses itself in a loop of doom.

3. This is a loaded question. Education has been in a doom loop since Dewey and the progressives in the early 20th century. There have been countless fads and programs inconsistently implemented and other tasks required of schools that lie completely outside the bounds of education. That though, is a problem with public schools; as the political winds blow, so goes the funding and the personnel. The hedgehog concept is sacrificed on the altar of the public weal. Schools become hospitals, cafeterias, pharmacies, rec halls, and mental institutions. Such is life....

4. As an adherent of Maslow, Glasser, and Locke, I fully agree that an individual is self-motivated and if they intend on being successful in a particular endeavor will align themselves with their organization's vision and mission. I would submit that commitment level and professional development, while at some level individually resident, can be largely influenced by organizational incentives and culture. Should people be committed to their organization and continue to develop professionally? Yes, but the question turns upon to what degree?

Klittles wrote:It is time for our collaboration on Chapter 7. Your responses are due by Thursday, May 4 @ 3 pm.

Please respond to the following statements with well thought-out responses.

1. Explain in your own words the "Flywheel Effect." (please more than 2 sentences) Every employee desires to be part of a winning team. This is what makes the "Flywheel Effect" the best implementation for the success and profit of a company. IT encourages slow, steady forward momentum through methods that are applied after being well thought out, tried and tested to work. With this process, some companies may seem to have made swift, dramatic changes as if overnight. But if the changes are so gradual that most don't realize a change has taken place until many steps have been taken. This steady progress helps encourage all employees to continue with the forward momentum raising the success and greatness of the company.

2. Explain in your own words the "Doom Loop." (please more than 2 sentences) On the opposing end of the spectrum, there is the "doom effect" This happens when a company irrationally, wants to walk before they crawl. When a company tries to dramatically change based on instantaneous ideas that are not thought out, many unforeseen problems will occur. To correct these problems, the company has to stop forward movement, reverse to the initial beginning of the problem, and make adjustments to accommodate. This is a constant rollercoaster ride for employees and becomes frustrating and discouraging. A company trying to make leaps and bounds instead of slowly rolling forward will get stuck in the "Doom Loop" and will never be successful. Nor will it keep good employees.

** Please to not repeat someone else's words**

3. Does your organization need transformation? If so, what needs to be transformed? If not, why not? Not at all, everything is great.

4. It is the responsibility of the individual to find self- motivation, align themselves with their organization's vision
and mission, determine their commitment level to their organization and ensure that they are developing on a professional
level. Agree or disagree and Explain. (Please write at least a paragraph).

Self motivation is the key to the an individual employees success. if an employee isn't motivated within, the overall mission of the organization doesn't matter. Yet if an individual can find a common ground and purpose with the mission of the organization, the sky is the limit as to what that employee can accomplish. To perform a task with a given purpose, makes that task much more meaningful and purposeful. Thus the employee will put their best foot forward to accomplish the groups mission.

1. Explain in your own words the "Flywheel Effect." (please more than 2 sentences)
The concept of the "Flywheel Effect" includes being consistent in the process of moving in the right direction.  While continuing to push in the right direction the momentum may be slow, step -by-step or turn-by-turn, but you will eventually reach your breakthrough.  I think that the whole idea behind the "Flywheel Effect" is that with consistency and determination success will be met - it might not happen today, tomorrow, or next week.  It might not even happen next year, but it will happen.

2. Explain in your own words the "Doom Loop." (please more than 2 sentences)
The "Doom Loop" is the process of initiating/implementing change or starting programs without considering the thoughts of others or the impact the change(s) might have on others.  In essence the "Doom Effect" is taking shortcuts/the easy way out or jumping right into situations without fully considering all aspects that are necessary for success.  The end result the "Doom Loop" is rarely successful due to poor planning and preparation.

3. Does your organization need transformation? If so, what needs to be transformed? If not, why not?

No transformation is needed, all is well!


4. It is the responsibility of the individual to find self- motivation, align themselves with their organization's vision
and mission, determine their commitment level to their organization and ensure that they are developing on a professional
level. Agree or disagree and Explain. (Please write at least a paragraph).

Self motivation has to come from within, so it is the responsibility of an individual to find self-motivation, align themselves with their organizations vision and mission, determine their commitment level to their organization and ensure that they are developing on a professional level.  When the individual is motivated he/she will want to put his /her best foot forward for personal growth and satisfaction as well as for the growth of the organization.  Even with self-motivation the motivational level,  or lack of, from an organization will have a direct impact upon individuals within the organization.


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1. Explain in your own words the "Flywheel Effect." (please more than 2 sentences)
My interpretation on the “Flywheel Effect” is that first you have to determine the direction you are going (relating back to the hedgehog concept). Then, you must start “pushing” forward. This might be difficult at first, might even sometimes feel (especially at the beginning) that there is no movement forward. BUT, if you keep pushing “moving” in the right direction… every little effort helps (not just the big pushes or “moves.’) Then, eventually your “wheel” will gain momentum and it will be easier to see that you are moving in the right direction and it becomes almost effortless, per say, to keep the movement going.
2. Explain in your own words the "Doom Loop." (please more than 2 sentences)
The “Doom Loop” on the other hand is polar opposite. Instead of quiet, persistent effort, over time, to get the wheel moving; the companies touted as being on “The Doom Loop,” would have big showy announcements of what/where they were headed….expend effort for a little while, then abruptly change direction and “push” another direction entirely. Their employees never got a chance to see momentum building to the point where they were willing to put their shoulders to the wheel and push towards the goal. Their goals and ideas never have a chance to build a natural momentum due to inconsistent unsustainable effort and rapid changes in directions.
3. Does your organization need transformation? If so, what needs to be transformed? If not, why not?
I feel that we are heading in the right direction. A lot of effort has gone into providing us with opportunities to work together in getting our team heading in the same directions. There might be a few minor adjustments that could be made to even out some “bumps” in the road, but overall, we are rolling along smoothly. 
4. It is the responsibility of the individual to find self- motivation, align themselves with their organization's vision and mission, determine their commitment level to their organization and ensure that they are developing on a professional level. Agree or disagree and Explain. (Please write at least a paragraph).
I feel it is the individual’s responsibility to intrinsically motivate their selves; to put their best effort forward everyday and to conduct themselves in a professional manner. As part of an organization, it is their responsibility to align their self with the vision and mission of their organization. If you do not share the same vision and goal, then basically you are fighting an uphill battle everyday you come to work and then you cannot be passionate about what you do, which is TEACH. In order to be an effective teacher, you must always strive to improve how you teach and what you teach.

Please respond to the following statements with well thought-out responses.

1. Explain in your own words the "Flywheel Effect." (please more than 2 sentences)
Literally speaking, a flywheel is a big metal disk on an axle.  In Good to Great, a flywheel is your organization.  Your job is to get the flywheel moving as fast as possible.  Those in charge realize that this is a slow, steady process.  Keep pushing steadily. As it turns, it moves faster and faster.  Momentum is built.  The author uses Kroger as an example of the Flywheel effect.  Gradual but consistent effort builds success.

2. Explain in your own words the "Doom Loop." (please more than 2 sentences)
As the name implies, the Doom Loop is a "loop" that goes round and round.  It just turns and no progress is made--the company is just spinning its wheels.  They lack the discipline of the flywheel effect.  In the Doom Loop, organizations/businesses go from one unsuccessful venture to another.  The author's example is Warner-Lambert.  They went back and forth, changing directions without lasting results.  There is no consistency.  There is no patience with any of the efforts.  Thus, they are "doomed" to failure.

** Please to not repeat someone else's words**

3. Does your organization need transformation? If so, what needs to be transformed? If not, why not?
As has been mentioned in other blogs, I'm not totally familiar with all of the inner workings of my organization.  (That could be part of the problem).  In a previous post, I also stated that those at the head of the organization should seek the opinion of those who are "on the bus" with them.  They should also implement some of the suggestions/opinions of the employees that are in the trenches daily.  Recent occurrences have led me to think that some of this may be happening.

4. It is the responsibility of the individual to find self- motivation, align themselves with their organization's vision
and mission, determine their commitment level to their organization and ensure that they are developing on a professional
level. Agree or disagree and Explain. (Please write at least a paragraph)..

I both agree and disagree.  An individual must be self-motivated in order to complete their responsibilities.  Individuals should have the same vision as their organization.  Otherwise, why are you a part of an organization that is contrary to your personal/professional mission.  It is also the organization's responsibility to ensure that they are providing an environment which nourishes and encourages the employees and their vision.  The employee bears the responsibility of being a professional and seeking to improve themselves professionally. Therefore, I think both share the responsibility.


Carol Anderson




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1. Explain in your own words the "Flywheel Effect." (please more than 2 sentences)
The Flywheel Effect describes the momentum companies (or individuals) go through to move from good to great. At first it is like pushing on a giant, heavy flywheel. It takes a lot of effort to get things moving, but with persistent pushing in a consistent direction over a period of time, the flywheel builds momentum, eventually moving easily without a lot of force or effort. Companies experience this same process. The work in the beginning is tough, even hard, but if everyone in the company works hard in the same direction, then the work begins to become less of an effort. The momentum takes the “push.”

2. Explain in your own words the "Doom Loop." (please more than 2 sentences)
Rather than accumulating momentum, companies (or individuals) try to skip creating momentum and jump immediately to breakthrough. Then, these companies bounce back and forth, failing to maintain consistent direction. Rather than creating momentum and pushing the wheel (company) forward, they move forward, only to go backward – over and over again.

3. Does your organization need transformation? If so, what needs to be transformed? If not, why not?
I believe education in general needs transformation. Educators embrace fads and engage in management hoopla, rather than confront brutal facts – which are a clear sign you are in the “doom loop.” Educators also spend a lot of energy trying to align and motivate people, rallying them around a vision to no avail. Additionally, every time a new leader is placed, it leads to inconsistency. Every new leader brings his/her own new path. This pushes any momentum back and then the forward progress begins again – creating a doom loop.

4. It is the responsibility of the individual to find self- motivation, align themselves with their organization's vision and mission, determine their commitment level to their organization and ensure that they are developing on a professional level. Agree or disagree and Explain. (Please write at least a paragraph).

I believe it is the responsibility of any individual to find self-motivation and align themselves with their organization’s vision and mission. If you can’t do that, then I believe you need to re-evaluate your employment with the organization. If you don’t believe in the mission of your organization, then how can you propel it forward in that direction? You have just become a force that causes it to stumble back. Additionally, if you are not committed to the organization, then your lack of commitment will cause the organization to fall backward. Every single person in the organization needs to be moving forward and pushing the momentum toward achieving the organization’s mission and vision. Finally, as a committed member of the organization you must continue to develop professionally. If we do not learn and grow, we cannot continue to push the organization forward.

On a personal note - I tried Wednesday and Thursday to get into Forumotion to respond, but I could not. The site was "unavailable." I apologize for the delay in my response.