A Transformation

Our mental maps tend to be altered by experiences that challenge our existing beliefs. One day, Alberto experienced such a jolt. Two of his senior people approached him and said: “If there is a purpose, we are not understanding it. We don’t know where we’re going. We’re not aligned. What are we doing?”

TABLE 2.1 Assumptions in the Conventional Mental Map

At one level, Alberto was shocked. They were suggesting that the shortcoming was not in the organization, where Alberto had been placing the blame. They were suggesting that Alberto was not leading effectively.

A short time later, Alberto met with an equity analyst who articulated a similar view. The analyst also saw a lack of purpose and alignment. He suggested that Alberto’s difficulties existed because he did not know the minds of his people. According to the equity analyst, until Alberto understood what they thought, he would not be able to align his people with the collective purpose of his company.

These two experiences were important. Alberto was beginning to recognize a painful truth that none of us likes to encounter. He needed to learn and change. He needed to transcend his existing map so that he could become more effective.