The Pushmi-Pullyu Syndrom

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Do you remember that strange looking creature from the classic movie Doctor Dolittle, the pushmi-pullyu? Certainly, a wondrous creature which fit well in this fanciful world of make believe, but not an animal that would fair well in the real world if you were hoping for a ride somewhere. Just one look to even the most casual observer would lead to the inevitable conclusion that this is just not a plan for success. There are too many flaws in the design and it's painfully apparent that there is a serious issue with mutual exclusivity here. "In logic and probability theory, two propositions (or events) are mutually exclusive or disjoint if they cannot both be true (occur). A clear example is the set of outcomes of a single coin toss, which can result in either heads or tails, but not both." (Wikipedia)

Unfortunately, the issue of mutual exclusivity can rear its ugly double head in our professional applications far too often if aren't on the lookout for the beast! There are times when we seek to accomplish multiple goals but fail to consider if they are compatible. The problem professionally is this; when crafting goals, no matter how noble and well intentioned we are we end up confronting reality. Issues speaking to the costs associated with carrying out plans, considerations of time and effort, the sacrifices that must be made, personal and professional capacity to carry out the plan, and the impact on multiple communities and individuals always lurking. Too often when the voice of reason in the room brings up such questions, they are shouted down as negative, pessimistic, or the utterances of unbelievers. Questions of loyalty, and support may also arise leaving such individuals to either chose alienation or silence as their only recourse.

The reality is that unless issues of reasonableness, achieveability, mutual exclusivity, capacity, and cost are all addressed, failure is a very real possibility along with the associated consequences. To move forward responsibly several considerations must be engaged. First, relates to the finite nature of resources expended chasing achievable ends. Are the resources available, and is this how they should be expended? Secondly, the expenditure of personal and professional capital must be accounted for. People must be trained and aligned. Buy-in must be present as well as the will to see the plan through to the end? Next, are the social emotional costs associated with endeavors. Each effort, no matter how well conceived exacts a cost on community members and there is always the possibility for failure. While there is potentially for learning from any experience, such effort come with a cost relative to human psyche. Failure can beget failure, and ongoing losses take a toll on even the most ardent supporters. Finally, leaders must address the personal and professional self doubt which comes when flawed plans are rolled out. History does provide examples of those who were undeterred by ongoing failures; Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln, and Harry Truman come to mind. Such individuals certainly are good object lessons for grit and make for wonderful posters for classroom. The question really though how many unnamed souls have been lost in the mist of history as abject failures, never to be remembered again because of foolhardy, poorly considered goals that had absolutely no chance for success? We conveniently forget about "failures", who wants to fill the history books with those types of stories?

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The lesson isn't so much that chances shouldn't be taken, or that leaps of faith are out of the question, caution isn't always the best choice. But more times than not success in the classroom, and life in general is based on sound reasoning, effective planning, goal alignment, and the determination to see the plan through to the end. It's easy to embrace wonderful, positive, and popular goals which sound good upon initial consideration. But just like the parent/teacher who wants to be the "cool adult", giving the kids everything they want, then can't understand why their kids are out of control, it doesn't take rocket science to figure out how the plan went so wrong.  Next time before jumping on the nearest pushmi-pullyu it might just be a good idea to consider if you'll end up heading in the direction of your intended goals, or just going in circles.