Diabetic Neuropathy

How many men go for years without visiting their doctor? Not enough probably, but that’s another matter. In truth most guys find long periods in their lives when, in robust health, they forge their careers, socialize and build families. “Doctors see sick people”, I thought. “Why would I want to see a doctor?” Until the introduction of the mandatory vehicle test most folk neglected their cars in the same way. Today however, it’s commonplace to take better care of our cars than our health. So consider the development and progression of diabetes. Many people are shocked to learn they are diabetic when their blood sample shows elevated blood sugar and low glucose tolerance. They think it an overnight change. “Six months ago I was alright, why now?” They do not realise they’ve been digging their grave with their teeth for over 20 years and have not taken steps to adopt the healthy lifestyle the media’s always banging on about. It’s always been tomorrow’s problem until one day – Today, they’re right. If unchecked the illness accelerates our physical decline as more and more organs are affected. Numbness in the feet makes it difficult to walk and poor circulation makes it hard to fight infection. If and when an infection does take hold it can so threaten the whole body that the limb must be amputated. Something similar often happens in organisations. A particular kind of action is preferred, such as a severely legalistic bureaucracy, and over years it becomes deeply embedded in the culture. Oblivious to the drain these activities have on resources they progressively slow multiple departments so that they no longer pay adequate attention to their primary purpose. Their inflated cost structures restrict the flow of money to front line activities, service levels decline, operations become uncompetitive and eventually the organisation is forced to make a ‘strategic withdrawal’ from the sector. Factories close, jobs are lost and social fabric is weakened, but their paperwork was good to the end. As a health coach I have met many people who would rather leave the planet than change behaviour. I respect their right to be wrong and wish them well. My door is never closed should they want my help. At an organisational level the task is even more complex since the culture is always greater than the collective opinions and behaviours of its people. An outsider is often treated with suspicion, even hostility when new ideas are aired. Some ideas may be heard and implemented but in the main they are ignored. Later the idea appears self evident and is adopted. As a coach I also know that confrontation is futile. The adage “You insist, I resist” is always at play. By far the easier way to help an individual or organisation change is to heighten their awareness of what’s going on and then to support their chosen actions for change. The key element is a guiding principle that unites every member of the organisation. Arriving at a common aspiration in response to the questions “Why are we here?”, and “What do we want to achieve?” is a vital first step. When its staff are united in intention, and especially when they are committed to the health of the whole organisation, cooperation breaks out, great energies are released and an organisation quickly makes its dreams manifest. So the million dollar question is - To what degree is the staff of your organisation truly inspired and united by a compelling vision?