Sacred Cows
The following questions may well help you to identify sacred cows or “the sacred cows” in your organization or workplace setting.
Wikipedia defines sacred cow as “The term sacred cow has passed into the English language to mean an object or practice which is considered immune from criticism, especially unreasonably so.[1][2] The phrase is based on a popular understanding of the status of cows as ’sacred’ in some Asian religions.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_cow
Further elaboration yields : ”
Sacred cow
From the Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can change
In the relgion of Hinduism, the animal called a “cow” is thought to be sacred, or very holy. Most Hindus respect the cow for her gentle nature which represents the main teaching of Hinduism, non-injury (ahimsa). The cow also represents ghee and strength . Hindus do not worship the cow, but the cow is very honored in society, and most Hindus do not eat beef (the meat that come from cows). By honoring this gentle animal (living thing that isn’t a plant) that gives more than it takes, Hindus honor all creatures.
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[change] Elaboration
It is not known whether the cow was sacred and forbidden in the Hindu diet from ancient Vedic times. However, reverence for cows can be found in all the religion’s major texts.
The cow gives milk and cream, yogurt and cheese, butter and ice cream, ghee and buttermilk. The milk of a cow is believed to refine a person. The ghee (clarified butter) from the milk is used in ceremonies and in preparing religious food. Cow dung is used as fertilizer, as a fuel and as a disinfectant in homes. Modern science states that the smoke from cow dung is a powerful disinfectant and is good against pollution. The cow’s urine is also used for religious ceremonies as well as for medical reasons.”
http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_cow
It is best to start off by identifying the “cows”, but at the moment don’t rush headlong into trying to herd the cows , chase them away or even deprive them of food , nutrition ( cash salary). For example the ritual of going through “junk mail “ or “spam” was one person’s self acknowledged sacred cow
A procedural list for sacred cows
1) List any systems , procedures. policies or habits that are outdated and that can be changed
note - the worst organizations often have the best procedures and procedure manuals. They have little else to do. The prosperous , upgoing companies are often on the fly “doing work”. They have no time to revamp systems. There is productive work to do. Yet their systems are often hodge podge and ramshackle -leaving new employees confused. Some “management type: often has to take them down the right of inconsistencies and simply tell them ” It makes no sense but this is how its done”.
2) What are the aspects of the jobs that you like the least , that are seen as “a drag” or “drags” and wear you and other employees or seem like ‘busywork”
3)Which of any of the sacred cows are policies and procedures inherited from predecessors or idiot former managers ( some of which may be ceo’s at present)
4) Sacred cows which come courtesy of another department but can never be challenged due to “turf” and “control “ issues. You would think that you are working for different firms or at the least are on another planet. What a bunch of stupidiyt.
5) If you can visualize yourself going through a typical day , week, month or even year is there a list of routines at the office. Mail comes in such a time , person c takes it from desk to desk. It can never be done any other way or panic sets in . Sounds familiar. Why not break these routines - at least for fun
If you think if a comedy group - second city , Saturday night live - were to attend most businesses and organizations they would have more fodder for material than they could handle in a lifetime - all with these sacred cows
November 13th, 2008 at 1:51 am
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