Generative performance stands with inspired and focused performance to create breakaway success. Today I am only going to focus on the generative aspects of performance.
Generative is an adjective, which means it describes something — in our case, performance. The definition of generative is: having the power or function of generating, originating, producing or reproducing. Thank you Miriam Webster.
Let’s stick with generative as “having the power or function of originating or producing.” That means something moves or changes when generative power or function is applied. There is a powerful energy associated with generating.
My friend and mentor Bill Schwarz in Atlanta wrote a book called The Generative Organization. The book is somewhat autobiographical, somewhat mystical. Its story line focuses on moving an organization from reactive behavior to inspired performance. In it he points out that if you only see what others see that cause a reactive state to exist — things like recurring events, problems, quick fixes, long-term consequences — then you are still part of the problem. Until you, as a leader, go through the other four generative steps, including recognizing leverage points and aligning the organization around them, to see yourself as the designer of the organization, you are still at the effect instead of being the cause of a future.
This is a deep conversation greater than the length of this blog, so I encourage you to read Bill’s book. You will find it at www.inspiredperformance.org. I have personally witnessed an entire company go through his weekend program and come out a different kind of company — generative, inspired, and ready to get focused on what matters. Talk about courage.
Being truly generative makes a difference that no one will ever forget, not just for the company, for the larger community. When your organization is organized to do that, you are truly generative.
Is your organization organized to be truly generative? If not, what do YOU think stands in the way?
