Guiding Principles
Much as the foundation for the French Republic can be reduced to three words, so too can the ethos of Alanbrookes. These are:
Trust |
Purpose |
Justice |
The point of having Guiding Principles is so that anyone who finds them self having to make a decision, can be confident of making the right choice, possibly under very difficult circumstances.
Having first assessed and then distilled the nature of the problem to its very essence, and lined up an array of alternatives, the first of three filters to apply is the Trust Test.
Does the action I am about to sanction contribute to and build, or does it detract from and undermine trust between people, organisations, the environment, the next generation? If the answer is positive then you have passed the first test.
The next filter is to question the purpose of doing anything at all. Will my decision contribute to the higher purpose of Alanbrookes or am I reacting perhaps in haste and out of a need to be seen to be doing something? Is this a purposeful decision or is it merely justified or easily explained or heaven forbid the norm in the circumstances? If the action you are about to take is not loaded with purpose then be wary.
The final filter focuses on justice. By this we do not merely mean the letter, but the spirit of the law and your sense of natural justice. Are you about to decide to do something that you would emotionally and rationally and readily accept as fair if meted out to you? Are you about to do what is easy or expedient; or are you about to do what is right? If that means challenging the status quo then that’s fine. Do it.
Like any great General you need to be mindful of your resources. You should always know what any course of action is going to cost you and what the likely pay off will be. Spend the firm’s and your clients’ money, energy, political capital, and reputation as if it were your own. Live to fight another day, concede indefensible positions, adapt and improve to carry the day another time if needs be. The full frontal assault went out of fashion decades ago, even though hundreds of thousands of people died over the centuries trying in vain to prove its efficacy.
Think Win-Win and remember that sometimes consciously doing nothing is the most difficult but wisest approach.
By Order of the Board
20th July 2010
