Charting the Course: People's Sense of Urgency

By Charles Scott
John Kotter writes that most organizations are divided into four groups. This knowledge is especially helpful when vision casting or working to present new ideas. The task of the leader is to produce inspirational goals and knowing these groups can make a vital difference.

The groups that Kotter identifies are:

1. People who sense urgency
   These people want to be a part of determined, focused leadership that is addressing the real issues in truth. Most people are in this group. Their desire is to contribute something meaningful to the organization, not self.
   
2. People who have no sense of urgency
   These people do not want anything to change. Period.
   
3. People who create their own sense of urgency to deflect attention from the true urgent issues
   These people are smart. They know how to use emotion and words to gain support for their purposes and get attention off the main areas that really require attention.
   
4. People who respond to the urgent with their ideas of action
   These people come on the scene with the Savior mentality – you are in trouble and I am your answer. They use cute words and expressions that convey all is well because they are here.

It is very important for leaders to discern which of these four groups a person is a part of and where their actions are leading. The leader cannot get in a hurry. A big hurry = bigger mistakes.