New Planks, Same Ship?
or what slaying a minotaur can teach us about generational tension at work
All these headlines about The Odyssey sparked another story for me, one that gets right at the heart of generational tensions: The Ship of Theseus. Never heard of it? It has a minotaur!
Imagine you are a young person in ancient Athens, welcoming back the lauded warrior Theseus from his victorious sea travels. Theseus has slain the Minotaur. This is obviously a big deal.
To honor Theseus and his efforts to save everyone from the dastardly Minotaur, the fine residents of Athens have decided to preserve his ship in the harbor. It will stand for years to come, reminding future generations of his bravery. You personally don’t have what it takes to slay a Minotaur, but you are determined to be a vigilant steward of his legacy. Time passes.
Over the years, the water in the harbor naturally begins to decay the ship’s wood. Piece by piece, you conscientiously replace the boards as they weaken, using a sturdier, more water-resistant board and covering it with varnish to preserve the wood. If a minotaur didn't destroy this ship, it's not going down on your watch.
Decades pass, and one morning, you bring your grandchildren with you as you head to the harbor to replace the latest rotting board. As you pop it out, you realize this is the last remaining original piece from Theseus’ original ship. Every nail and board has now been replaced.
Now the tricky question: Is it still Theseus’s Ship?
It’s an age-old story (pun intended), and the question at the heart of this tale is also at the heart of the tension that occurs when our organizations struggle to decide what must be preserved and what can (or must) change. Many of our older colleagues feel a responsibility to protect what has been built, just as many of our youngest ones are likely to point out pieces of the ship that need to be replaced if the ship is to survive.
This puzzle is at the heart of many generational tensions and struggles. How much change is too much? What do we have to preserve for our organization to retain its identity, and what makes it special? How do we honor what matters, while still making room for what’s possible?
I’ve been digging into these tough but fascinating questions for my new book (the rough draft was finished last week!). I can’t wait to share more with you.
