Constructive Deconstruction  Jaques Derrida died last month. He was a philosopher, a writer and an uncommon observer of the impact of language on culture. Derrida’s talent went beyond his unique appreciation for the subtleties and paradoxes of language; his true gift was the ability to see in reverse.

No, it’s not 20/20 hindsight. Derrida could understand ideas and concepts by examining their derivation and intended application. Context and timing were critical to his process and wit and language were his tools.

While interesting, how do the ideas of a French philosopher affect me and mine? Consider this question. Have you ever tried to fix something that wasn’t broken or didn’t appear to be broken? We’ve all heard, “Don’t fix it if it’s not broke.” How do you know when something is broken? Many systems don’t break down, they just become less efficient.

Function and performance of any process changes over time, if only due to repetition or friction — mechanical or intellectual. The standards for evaluating and measuring success change because of context and timing. Here is where the talents of Jaques Derrida have value for all of us.

By examining how we do something without the blinders of familiarity or the protectiveness of authorship, performance and effectiveness can be evaluated. As each element is examined for its contribution and appropriateness, they are also considered in the context of new challenges and changing times. Without this examination and by continuing to do what has always been done, current success can actually inhibit future success.

Jaques Derrida’s deconstructionist ideas are even more revealing when applied to contemporary business situations. If our organization makes the best magnetic tape, why worry about CDs, DVDs or the internet? If our competition hasn’t won in decades, why should we change how our team plays the game? If our adversary is highly motivated but thousands of miles away, why examine our policies? Knowing how and why we have succeeded is as important as understanding why failure may follow success.

Knowledge precedes wisdom and ideas generate solutions when goals and objectives are continuously measured and affirmed. The gift left by Derrida is the permission to consider changing horses in midstream, leaving with someone other than the guy that “brung ya” and fixing what may not appear to be broken.

Guided by our process of Design by Objectives™, Essex Two helps its clients examine how they do what they do and why their customers should care. We recognize and appreciate the value of tradition and the impact change has on culture. Our work is designed to support strengths and to identify new skills and abilities. Visit the Essex Two website for case studies that demonstrate our ability to serve the success of our clients.

Worth your time: Really Useful: The Origins of Everyday Things, by Joel Levy. A beautifully presented book, Really Useful is a collection of short essays exploring the origins of familiar objects as cultural artifacts useful in understanding and appreciating how we came to be who we are. From vacuum cleaners to VCRs, Levy positions us with the devices we have chosen and delivers context with his content.