Over the past couple of weeks, we have witnessed the fallout from the recent May Day protests that happened around the country.
Seattle, Washington is in my backyard was hit hard on May 1st. What started out as calm and civil protests, quickly erupted into high velocity fighting with severe destruction.
As I sat watching the events unfold on the evening news and online, I was struck with deep sadness. My heart ached for the innocent bystanders and the helpless businesses that took the brunt of the angry mob with sticks, pipes and paintball guns.
I couldn’t help but wonder, Why?!
I couldn’t stop watching in awe and with profound disappointment.
Whatever the reason or cause, I do not see how covering up your face and walking down streets with weapons and a single intention of destruction can ever be a good thing.
While some say the city leaders should have done more. I disagree. While others say that the protestors warned the authorities of their pending actions so they should have been prepared, I disagree.
There was no amount of preparation that could have been implemented that ever could have prepared the innocent for the hostility that scourged the city on May 1, 2012.
Why? Because common sense had been abandoned for a cause that with all good intentions was taken over by a flock of Angry Birds. A flock who simply wanted to destroy for the sheer sake of it–For the pleasure of it.
The most unsettling of all was to see the devastation to property, buildings and businesses that have fought just to keep their employees employed and the doors open during the worst economic downturn of our lifetime.
As I reflect back, I see how much these protestors acted like nothing more than Angry Birds. Lobbing their attacks on the unsuspecting who were held up inside the walls of their businesses: their livelihoods.
Protesting for the sake of a cause, in and of itself, is the American way. But destroying property for no other reason than because it sounds like a fun idea should be saved for video games, video at 5 o’clock.
So what can we learn about our teams with these current events and people acting out their video game in real life? What do Angry Birds, May Day Protestors and Our Teams have in common?
- Each has a Mission – It’s the implementation that either works for or against you. If your team is not working for you, it’s time to go back to the drawing board and cast the net wider to ensure that you are capturing the right people to fulfill your goals.
- Each has a Weapon – it’s how you empower them to use it that matters most. Protestors and Birds each have their various weapons they use to destroy. Your team has weapons you have given them but, do they know how to use them in a manner that builds up and doesn’t tear down?
- Each has a Clear Target – it’s how they go after it that varies. The Angry Birds have one way to go after their target, with the sling shot through the air. Protestors had a calculated route and plan of action, thanks to online chat forums. They en-massed upon the streets knowing exactly where to go. Your team has the target you set with and for them, but do they know as clearly how to zero in on it.
So as you can see, the three have a lot of the same factors in place. It is clearly the intention behind them all that promotes them for the good of the whole or the destruction of many.
My hope in the future is that we learn from these escapades and video games to transform the world for GOOD, not destroy for the He!! of it.
What else do you see that Teams, Angry Birds and May Day Protestors have in common? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
