Good afternoon from Vancouver, where summer lingers, at least for the time being. I did hear the ‘F’ word, “Fall” on a conference call this morning!
Reading last week I came upon a most interesting acronym FUD, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear,_uncertainty_and_doubt While Wikipedia describes it standing for ‘fear, uncertainty and doubt’, I’ve also learned it can mean, “fear, uncertainty, dread” or “fear, uncertainty, disinformation.” FUDs are a term used in the public relations world where someone, or some group want to create an environment of fear, uncertainty and doubt about someone else or about another group. One specific example has to do with film maker Michael Moore, after he released his film “Sicko” exploring the American health care system, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386032/ It appears that a group of health care insurance companies hired a PR firm to launch a FUD against Moore and his film, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendell_Potter, trying to discredit Moore and the documentary film.
A couple of thoughts come to my mind about FUDs. First, what are the FUDs that appear as ‘gossip’ in our workplaces. Gossip is a way of feeling included, in the know as it were, but it is also often harmful. And when we as leaders find ourselves involved in gossip, especially gossip that is FUD like about another person, we are in effect condoning it. Variously attributed, there is an ancient wisdom that says, ‘before you speak ask yourself three questions, is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?” If the answer to any of those three is ‘no’, you might be even inadvertently, delivering a FUD.
Secondly, we might well be living in a world that is FUD filled. Since the sad events of September 11, 2001, we have been filled with fear, uncertainty and even dread about dangers lurking on planes, in cars, at borders, and in the hearts and minds of people who do not look, speak, believe or even love like ‘us’. We have in our lives and experiences over the last decade or so, spent a great deal of time FUDing about ‘the other’, whomever they might be. It might even appear to be quite normal to be fearful about other people. In fact, while there are those people who are specifically bad, and dangerous. The vast majority of people are far too concerned with their families, their lives, their work; being good parents, partners and friends to spend any amount of time plotting how to interfere with my life or anyone else’s for that matter! Another ancient piece of wisdom, again, variously attributed, are the words, “Fear not!”
What might our workplaces and teams look like if we courageously acted against local FUDs and the FUDy world we inhabit right now? What might we be able to do if we saw the world through a lens of abundance, rather than scarcity? What might we be able to do collectively and individually if we were to act creatively from a place of courage and strength, rather than a place of fear and weakness?
May this week be one that fights against the FUD machine for each and everyone of us!
Alisdair