The Canoe Theory

Last night I read a book called "The Canoe Theory." Easy read, took about 30 minutes or so. Great principles. It was referred to me by a colleague that participates with me in a monthly executive round table, and got my attention. If you'll remember from Jim Collins book "Good to Great," he uses the illustration of putting the right people on the bus, making sure those people are in the right seat, and the bus is heading in the right direction. I use this analogy all the time in a variety of applications.

The Canoe Theory takes this "bus" analogy another step forward. The principles are as follows:

1. A company is like a canoe - as in, we are all in this canoe together. I'm sure you've heard people say, "We are all in this boat together." Not sure where that comes from - maybe dates back to Noah's Ark :)

2. The canoe has a direction - the company better have a vision and strategy.

3. Everyone has a seat and a paddle, and everyone is expected to paddle.

4. Those who won't paddle have to get out of the canoe.

5. Those who paddle well, but prevent others from paddling have to adjust or get out of the canoe.

6. Be understanding if someone in the canoe has a personal crisis. We will all paddle harder for a reasonable period of time while you deal with this.

7. You have the right to be happy. If you aren't happy in this canoe, let's help you find a different canoe to be in.

8. If you are going to be in this canoe, then support the canoe or have the integrity to leave, rather than stay and undermine the canoe.

I love this. It's great. Sometimes the best principles are so easy. I wish I had run into this book earlier.