Originally circulated on 5 February 2021
Aweh fellow Ruminants & Groupies in day 314 of Re-Modified Lock Down Level 3 now with alcohol.
Firstly I would like to pick up on the theme from last week regarding the need for me to develop a post retirement code of conduct after I will no longer be subject to the Sasol code of conduct. I am now approaching my post Sasol code of conduct with a lot more trepidation because an unhelpful friend made Nerine, my wife, aware of this new code of conduct and it will now require consulting with her and obtaining approval from her. My conduct unfortunately leaves very much to be desired and I expect the new code will be much longer and more onerous than the Sasol code of conduct. Disciplinary measures are also likely to be much more stringent. Nerine has extensive experience in labour relations and disciplinary hearings and has already scheduled weekly disciplinary meetings into my diary.
An interesting topic for Ruminant Pink Friday ™ is the term, – “That’s the way we roll” which means that’s the way we do things around here particularly when things become difficult and push comes to shove and we reveal our true selves. I think this can be applied to organisations as well as individuals and so we could say, “That’s the way Trump rolls” particularly after the spot of bother that he has recently experienced.
The term seems to have emanated from rap music and is attributed to MC Hammer. http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/07/what-this-is-way-we-roll-means.html?_sm_au_=iMVtJgWMfrT7fHjj0GLqHKHB1jtC6#:~:text=%22That’s%20the%20way%20we%20roll%22%20(%22This%20is%20the,are%20being%20true%20to%20ourselves.%22
I then want to introduce the concept of a roll model. This is someone who rolls in a similar way to you. Organisations can also have roll models. Who I perceive as a roll model for me could be very different to the roll models you perceive for me and exploring those difference could be very instructive.
So I am looking for post-retirement roll models. I am going to choose one for me to get the concept going. I am going to choose Paul Theron, a South African and the founder of Vestact. He has published a series of short videos under the heading Vestact blunders. His latest video is on the topic of bad bullshitters and as you know bullshit is a topic close to my heart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwRcOFgpdqQ. For those snowflakes amongst you I do warn you that parental guidance is advised and although there is no violence or sex there is profanity.
So I have chosen a roll model for me but you, dear readers, may have a different roll model in mind for me and I would appreciate you providing these to me for my personal development, to the extent that is even possible.
Within this circle you might like to share with me who your roll models are.
Organisations also have roll models. So we could envisage roll models for organisations that would be chosen by its people. In this respect I have a hypothesis and some questions:
Organisational Roll models will vary considerably according to seniority in the organisation
Do different seniority levels roll differently?
Should different seniority levels roll differently?
Exploring this hypothesis could be very instructive in understanding how an organisation really rolls. Of course in order to do this properly one would obviously need a top tier management consultant such as Bain, McKinsey or BCG.
Thank you very much for the many helpful suggestions and input which I’m researching and please keep the submission ideas flowing.
Regards
Bruce
Ruminant Pink Friday 