“They’re not afraid to stand up in a meeting and challenge a speaker; but when they do, they do it in a constructive way. . . . Their tenacious persistence—and guts—help keep a company young and exciting."
F. G. (Buck) Rodgers on Royal Dissenters |
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Published August 5, 2021
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IBM at one time had a “Buck Rogers” and a “Mr. Rogers” all rolled into one.
Instead of “Buck Rogers of the 21st Century” it was “Buck Rodgers of the 20th Century” and instead of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” on PBS, it was “Buck Rodgers’ 20th Century Neighborhood” at IBM. He was known as “Mr. IBM,” but—truth be told—he preferred “Buck.” He, like so many of IBM’s early leaders, was approachable.
In the estimation of F. G. (Buck) Rodgers there are three types of corporate dissenters: (1) the constant critic, (2) the loyal dissenter, and (3) the royal dissenter. For this executive, wild ducks fit into the latter of these three categories. This is an excerpt from F. G. (Buck) Rodgers The IBM Way (Harper & Row, Publishers, New York, 1986).
This author has added headings and some information [in brackets] for clarity and flow. If there are any errors, they are the responsibility of this author alone. In all my reading of material from IBM, this is one of the best expressions of the duties, responsibilities, and effect wild ducks have within their organizations.
The message of a wild duck must be transmitted properly.
But equally important is the executive’s reception.
Buck coached and then listened.
Instead of “Buck Rogers of the 21st Century” it was “Buck Rodgers of the 20th Century” and instead of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” on PBS, it was “Buck Rodgers’ 20th Century Neighborhood” at IBM. He was known as “Mr. IBM,” but—truth be told—he preferred “Buck.” He, like so many of IBM’s early leaders, was approachable.
In the estimation of F. G. (Buck) Rodgers there are three types of corporate dissenters: (1) the constant critic, (2) the loyal dissenter, and (3) the royal dissenter. For this executive, wild ducks fit into the latter of these three categories. This is an excerpt from F. G. (Buck) Rodgers The IBM Way (Harper & Row, Publishers, New York, 1986).
This author has added headings and some information [in brackets] for clarity and flow. If there are any errors, they are the responsibility of this author alone. In all my reading of material from IBM, this is one of the best expressions of the duties, responsibilities, and effect wild ducks have within their organizations.
The message of a wild duck must be transmitted properly.
But equally important is the executive’s reception.
Buck coached and then listened.
IBM's Wild Ducks Were Royal Dissenters
- Avoiding Corporate “Self-Indulgence, Fat and Sloppy”
- The Levels of Dissent: Constant, Loyal, and Royal
- Why Encourage Royal Dissention?
- Buck Rodgers’ Views Were Straight from the “Old Man” Himself
Avoiding Corporate “Self-Indulgence, Fat and Sloppy”
“The management of a company has to have its share of internal critics or else it tends to get self-indulgent, fat and sloppy. "Like most of us, I like to have things go my way, but I can’t stand to work in a world of yes-men. They create an atmosphere that can lull you to sleep.
“I like people who care enough about what’s going on to speak up when they don’t like what they see. Of course, there are critics and there are critics, but even the worst of them are more stimulating than the best of the yes-men.
“I like people who care enough about what’s going on to speak up when they don’t like what they see. Of course, there are critics and there are critics, but even the worst of them are more stimulating than the best of the yes-men.
The Levels of Dissent: Constant, Loyal, and Royal
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The Constant Complainer |
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“The critic who has the most negative effect on me is the constant complainer—the cynic who gripes about everything but never offers a suggestion to help ward off the gloom and doom he forever forecasts.
This guy isn’t just a pain in the backside; he deadens one’s responses to him. “People turn him off; they don’t listen to him; and a concern of his that may deserve some serious attention, gets shrugged off. |
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The Loyal Dissenter |
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“Another type of critic is the loyal dissenter.
"He’s pretty good at spotting trouble, or seeing a weakness in a program or plan, but he hates to rock the boat; so he keeps any solutions he may have to himself.
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The Royal Dissenter |
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“Finally, there’s the kind of complainer every organization needs: the royal dissenter.
"He or she offers not only a well-thought-out criticism but also a considered approach to dealing with the problem. “I have always encouraged my people to question, to probe, to express their concerns—to criticize. ‘And when you do,’ I’ve told them, ‘try to be logical and calm; maintain your poise.
"Never be afraid of taking a stand. |
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"At the same time, be constructive; not abrasive and cynical. Don’t turn every minor issue into a major one. When you decide to take me on, make sure that you have your facts straight, and be prepared to stand up for what you believe. Most of all , think in terms of a solution.’
“The more responsibility you carry [emphasis added], the more important it is for you to get your people to think of what they would do if they were in your shoes. You want them to develop a proprietary attitude about the company. The last thing you want to do is inhibit them from expressing their criticisms.
“Don’t chase them to the nearest bar, where they can commiserate, over drinks, about how bad things are.
“Don’t chase them to the nearest bar, where they can commiserate, over drinks, about how bad things are.
Why Encourage Royal Dissention?
“Every company needs its royal dissenters.
“Like the corporate entrepreneurs, they are risk-takers. They’re willing to stick their necks out and challenge the status quo. They’ll do it again and again when they are convinced that they’re right. They write letters to top management and fill the suggestion boxes. These people believe that they have the right ideas, and they want to convey them. They don’t care whom they’re talking to. It could be one of their peers or the chairman of the board.
“They’re not afraid to stand up in a meeting and challenge a speaker; but when they do, they do it in a constructive way. They are those “wild ducks” of business that Tom Watson, Jr., talks about. Their tenacious persistence—and guts—help keep a company young and exciting.
“Like the corporate entrepreneurs, they are risk-takers. They’re willing to stick their necks out and challenge the status quo. They’ll do it again and again when they are convinced that they’re right. They write letters to top management and fill the suggestion boxes. These people believe that they have the right ideas, and they want to convey them. They don’t care whom they’re talking to. It could be one of their peers or the chairman of the board.
“They’re not afraid to stand up in a meeting and challenge a speaker; but when they do, they do it in a constructive way. They are those “wild ducks” of business that Tom Watson, Jr., talks about. Their tenacious persistence—and guts—help keep a company young and exciting.
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“Happily, IBM has always had its share of people who refused to fly in formation.
"Protect that point beyond which you won't compromise. Stand up and be counted. It is even important at times to lay your job on the line to preserve your self-respect."
F. G. (Buck) Rodgers, The IBM Way
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Buck Rodgers’ Views Were Straight from the “Old Man” Himself
I sometimes think you do not criticize us enough. Perhaps it is because you think so highly of your associates at headquarters that you do not feel you should be critical, but when we do the wrong thing, remember that it is always our friends who criticize us and our enemies who tell us we are right.
Thomas J. Watson Sr., Human Relations
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