All of us have at some time come up against a brick wall. We are trying to achieve something which is difficult and keep on knocking our head against this brick wall which stops us. It may be the system or the organisation or some other reason which is stopping us.
So we find ourselves in the position of knocking our head against a brick wall and Figure 1 illustrates this.
In that kind of situation, what can one do? The wall is very solid, very high, extends almost indefinitely on either side and its foundations are deep and strong. In other words we cannot get through it, we cannot climb over it, we cannot walk around it and we cannot tunnel underneath it. So what are the alternatives, what can we do?
Of course we can keep on knocking our head against the brick wall. Continuing to do so could have drastic results (see Figure 2). One lands up with a sore head and it may take some time to recover from this. The expression ’sore head’ here covers a wide range from a general feeling of being fed up or of frustration to more severe symptoms.
Another way of dealing with the situation is to leave it, to emigrate, to find another job (Figure 3). People do not really like doing this and a lot of frustration can build up and be endured before people finally take the step. Their frustration has been building up for a considerable time before they take the step. It may have taken a year or two years before an employee makes up his mind to change his job and leaves.
There is yet a third way out of the situation (see Figure 4). One can sit down with one’s back against the wall drinking tea, saki or whatever the local drink may be, letting the wall support one, taking it easy and playing the game according to the local rules.
These are really the only three ways out which are normally open to one. However, people who are involved in such a situation do not see it in such simple terms. People are often deeply emotionally involved in their work and home situations. Success or failure at work is important as it determines not only one’s standard of living and the standard of living of those who depend on one but also determines the sense of well-being and satisfaction of the individual concerned. Hence people react strongly and emotionally to the kind of factors we are talking about and will be discussing.
What I am asking you to do now is something quite different and much more difficult. I am asking you to tear yourself out of this involvement with your situation at home or at work, with the kind of brick walls you are struggling with or which support you. I am asking you to see things as they are.
Figure 5 illustrates this. It shows the human eye looking at the total situation, seeing the situation as it is. We see the brick wall, the bricks from which it has been built, and their size. We see the thickness of the wall and the cement which holds it together. We see its height and its length and have a good look at the foundations. We see the individual, see what he is doing, see the alternatives open to him and the consequences which result from choosing any one of the alternative ways of behaving. Seeing the total picture we can then act accordingly, knowing the consequences of our actions. We can decide to move in any direction or take appropriate action about the wall itself but at least we will be fully aware of the consequences of what we are doing. We will then objectively see and assess the factors which enable people to co-operate with each other and to work together effectively.
