The Empire Builder

Most people with problems to solve are in the middle of building something. Sometimes it’s a small empire, sometimes it’s a large one. But it is, in almost every case, an empire. It is, in our country, the capitalist way. The bigger, the better. If you are not growing, you are dying. There are many clichés. Many will confess that they are building an empire, some will deny it vehemently, some will not realize they are even doing it. With very few exceptions, they all are in the process of building. Just to note, there is nothing inherently wrong with empire building and there is nothing inherently wrong with falling into one of the three categories of empire builder, depending on what you do with your empire might have ethical implications but that is not the subject of this blog, that comes later.

This blog is about pursing the truth in order to solve problems. If the empire is the problem it is quite conceivable that the builder will not be able to handle the truth, which might be the case where there is, in fact, something inherently wrong with the empire, but hopefully that is a remote case. More than likely, it is the pursuit of something other than the truth in the blind desire to build the empire that will result in something that is ethically questionable. There will be much more on that case later as well. For now, however, you have just received a phone call because there is a real or perceived problem to be solved and you are the solver of problems, although—professional analyst sounds and looks better on your resume. As you put down the phone you realize it’s almost time to go to work. But first you want to read a little more about empires.

We know the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, not because we have all read it, but because we know time and time again that history repeats itself. It’s not just that way with Dynasty’s. It is the ubiquitous the cycle of life (sorry Lion King). Everything around us is either growing or dying. Look around you – are you trapped in urban sprawl as your city planners struggle to decide if they should approve yet another tract of housing or strip mall? Is your social group attempting to attract new members and/or seek donations? Is your company trying to land new contracts by pursing business with new clients? Is your boss trying to increase the size of your division? You haven’t been called necessarily to solve any of these problems; you have been called to help a very specific client with a very specific problem.

But your boss did mention that it was an important client whose business was very important to the company. Should you know anything about that client? Should you ask your boss more about the client before you respond? Perhaps you should ask your boss just how important and how long they have been a client? Perhaps you should ask if your boss knows about the problem to be solved. Chances are, you now know everything your boss knows. It is important, as you move forward, however to know from where you came and to where you are going. Why? Because the problem is about to become your problem. And if you are to attempt a solution that allows you to pursue the truth and maintain your integrity you will need to know your level of independence from the issues.

Understanding your level of independence is our second principal for pursuing the truth. And it is why you must know your place in the empire. Almost everyone is inside the empire or nested empires – it is practically impossible to not be connected in some way. Fortunately however, for now it is sufficient to simply understand you’re level of independence as you begin to assess the problem. You must reassess, however, throughout your work, this level of independence. If you don’t know where the lines are, you will no doubt become part of the problem itself and hence part of the solution. The truth will have been lost before you even leave your office.