Condolences to Common Sense

August 24, 2011

Obituary printed in the London Times – Interesting and sadly rather true.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common
Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how
old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic
red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable
lessons as:

  • - Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
  • - Why the early bird gets the worm;
  • - Life isn’t always fair;
  • - and Maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t
spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not
children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned
but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old
boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens
suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher
fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for
doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining
their unruly children.It declined even further when schools were required to get
parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student;
but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted
to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became
businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself
from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for
assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman
failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a
little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and
Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by
his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
  1. I Know My Rights
  2. I Want It Now
  3. Someone Else Is To Blame
  4. I’m A Victim
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was
gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority
and do nothing.
Did you just heave a big sigh at the lack of common sense in your company? You can have it back. Common sense returns when management uses it subtly in every conversations and sets the bar for what it looks like. Learn how to revive common sense in your world by setting up a coaching session with Rob McGregor. Email Sarah Thomson at SarahT@spiritwest.com to arrange your time.