The Sharper Stick Syndrome

Sometimes the leadership of an organization asks its people to recommend improvement to their business practices before the people understand that there exist methods beyond their knowledge and experience. While this can bring about some improvement to performance, it will be marginal compared to the potential.  

We call this “The Sharper Stick Syndrome” and it goes like this….


In the Third World Country, the leadership wanted to increase their farming productivity. Currently, the general farming method was to poke a hole in the ground with a stick and drop in a seed. Nature did the rest.

When asked to improve their methods, one tribe suggested a “sharper stick” because this was the only thing they could think of within their experience and realm of knowledge.

Another tribe sought out and listened to more advanced countries and learned about automated seed planters, crop rotation, fertilizer and chemicals, insect control and the like. The results they achieved were far improved …. needless to say


The Message…. Don’t ask people what they need to improve until they understand alternatives to their past practice and experience. Lack of the necessary education and understanding can be costly.

Good Luck,
Bob Stahl