Chad's spot for various thoughts, musings, poetry, ideas and whatnot

Thursday, October 28, 2004

Institutional DNA

One of the things a person occasionally sees is the rise of what I call institutional DNA. This is where an individual is so deeply intertwined with an organization that the organization's success goes hand-in-hand with the individual. The most obvious example of this is Apple Computer and Steve Jobs. The company was founded on Jobs' vision and the company rises and falls on its ability to adhere to it. Those who ran the company between Jobs' two stints didn't understand the vision so the company floundered. When Jobs return the company was refocused on that vision and seemed to really find its feet. The question with the company is whether or not that "DNA" can be transferred to another leader or if the DNA can be modified or mutated by another leader whose vision is close enough to the original that the company will still thrive.

For me, the saga at the University of Florida fits this. Is Spurrier the only guy who can take the program to true success? Alabama has had real problems replacing Bear Bryant for just this reason with (until this year maybe) only Gene Stallings, a former palyer and coach under Stallings having success. If Florida decides to go with someone besides the Ol' Ballcoach it risks messing with the DNA...

I wonder how often we do this with things in our life. Is my ministry infused with the "DNA" of the lovely wife and I? Probably. Tot he point where no one could run it? I'm pretty sure that right now it is. The goal is to find people who can lead that share our vision fully enough that if we are no longer able to continue to run the ministry, they can pick it up and be successful in modifying it int he right ways that will fit their leadership style and yet holds to the original vision.

Something to think about.

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