My very recent experience with a serious back problem and its resolution reminds me, strangely, of my experiences as a management consultant. Let me explain this eerie connection. I'll start with the illness.
Back pain had been part of my life for many years. On occasion, it would decide to fester up and make things difficult, including slowing down my ability to do anything due to either the pain or the bed rest - or both.
Visits to doctors led to x-rays that revealed no clues as to the cause. Trips to chiropractors provided some relief, as did the bed rest.
The recent attack started off the same way but not only remained but also intensified. After two weeks, I was suddenly struck by a sharp and excruciating pain that shot from my lumbar region and through my left leg. I could not move.
After some agonising minutes, the agony eased. However, trying to stand or move triggered more punishment. It took 30 minutes for me to get to my bedroom and longer to get into the bed.
I was rushed to the emergency ward of the local hospital and, after heavy pain killers were administered, an x-ray was taken. This showed nothing of consequence, so after more than two weeks, I was diagnosed with "chronic back pain" and duly discharged with prescriptions for pain control. My wife demanded they undertake an MRI scan but the specialists deemed it unnecessary because they had made their diagnosis.
Being under regular morphine doses, I was mentally out of the picture. That stuff dulls the brain.
My future looked grim, to say the least.
However, within three days I was back in the emergency ward in severe pain that the medication was unable to control.
My wife very vehemently demanded an MRI scan yet again. They finally capitulated. Within 24 hours, the scan was undertaken and soon revealed the root cause of the problem: Cauda equina syndrome.
This syndrome is basically the blockage of the nerve channel in the spine, thereby crushing the nerves, causing pain and can lead to paralysis of the legs. If the blockage is between 50%-60%, immediate surgery is mandatory.
In my case, it was 80% blocked.
An immediate and major surgery finally provided the cure to my back problems. Although the recovery period takes many weeks, this operation has avoided total lower back paralysis. I can now look forward to a pain-free back and live a normal life without the fear of yet another attack.
So, how does all this relate to my work as a consultant?
So many organisations suffer from issues such as ineffective leaders, under-performing employees, high staff attrition, low engagement and more.
Over and over again, the specialists apply the same cures: predominantly training of some sort or special events. These have limited results and are more like temporary 'fixes', just like bed rest and a chiropractor’s manipulations.
The underlying causes are not properly identified and given the appropriate remedy. The problems continue, draining the potential of both individuals and the organisation itself.
Like my wife, I request organisations to undergo the equivalent of an MRI scan to obtain the root causes with a view to a major operation to fix them for good. Unfortunately, as happened in my wife’s case, the specialists ignore this because they have made their own diagnoses and go their own way — maybe creating a short period of relief before the pain returns and grows. Is this leading to the eventual paralysis of your business?
… It is time to question --- is your company as sick as I was?
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