Last night I enjoyed a fascinating lecture & discussion with Richard Badham, Professor of Management at MGSM. The intriguing title was “Rebels without Applause” and the discussion centred around how management researchers, especially those who use action research methods, can balance competing needs from industry and academia. This was a salutatory lesson for me, as I start on my next phase of academic pursuit.
Professor Badham also showed a great clip from Tom Peters (In Search of Excellence etc.) who talked about those who were rewarded for “colouring within the lines” and those who were compelled to draw outside the lines.
As a consultant with a strong conscience, I am often torn between doing what I’d agreed (colouring within the lines) and doing what seems like it will be more helpful to the particular client group; between respecting confidentiality and finding ways to anonymously raise critical issues; between being an outsider with a job to do and caring enough to become a change agent within the system.
It was comforting to know that there are others like me and inspiring to know that some are prepared to document their experiences as part of a strong reflective practice.