Cleaning out some files I came across a listing of some businesses I’d done consultations for some years ago. The list was from the early nineties when I was doing more consultations with businesses and corporations than I do now. Going down the list I started checking off those businesses that no longer exist. By the time I finished I’d crossed out over two-thirds of the names on the list. If we were to engage in causal thinking we might ascribe two reasons for such a large number:
The first is that it is possible that I was such a poor consultant that those businesses unfortunate enough to take my counsel to heart met with a speedy demise. The second possibility may have to do with The Theory of Hype, which says,
People and institutions whose surface value (“hype”) is more than their substance will be driven out by those of whom the reverse is true.
Reflecting back on those defunct organizations, and their leaders, I think the second applies. All of those companies, and their leaders, subscribed to the notion “An ounce of presentation is worth a ton of production.” As I recalled, every one of the leadership who called me in for a consultation were more interested in how to hype, spin, , brand, and sell their company’s image than about being more productive or working towards the integrity between their mission and their work ethic or work practices. They were more concerned about working at appearing good than doing good work.
Focusing on hype rather than mission or effectiveness will not carry any organization over the long haul. It won’t take long for it to be replaced by another who can actually deliver on what it promises. I think the same applies to congregations and their leaders.
So, what is your organization, and its leaders, most concerned about? Its hype or its mission and effectiveness?
