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The Elephant in the Room
The Elephant in the Room refers to critical issues that get ignored even though they have significant impact on an organization's effectiveness. The elephant presents a problem: Even though
it's harmful, it's difficult to address. And the longer issues hang in the air, the more difficult they are to deal with.
Here are some guidelines for addressing the Elephant:
- Small suggestions can have a big impact. Sometimes addressing a small piece of the issue opens up the entire topic.
- Be Careful Out There. Think before you act. It's not often popular to announce that, "The Emperor has no Clothes." Plan your strategy carefully.
- Brainstorm. If you trust your boss or a colleague discuss the issue with them and see if the two of you can brainstorm an effective strategy.
- Utilize a consultant. This can be a very effective use of a consultant because they have the freedom, as an outsider, to say things others can't. The truth
saying is less threatening because the consultant isn't part of the group.
Tip: You can't always keep the elephant out of the room, but you can develop a strategy for dealing with it. Avoiding issues won't make them go away.
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