Corporate Denial Confronting the world’s most damaging business taboo Will Murray wjm ffirs.indd v 26/07/2004, 09:14:48 WARNING: Only to be read if ordinary is no longer OK! [email protected] ffirs.indd i 26/07/2004, 09:14:47 ffirs.indd ii 26/07/2004, 09:14:48 Clear direction? Inaction? Rapid response? Lost purpose? Tight focus? Painful waste? Powerful communication? Confusion? Energetic workforce? Muddled communication? Confi dent management? Energy loss? Vibrant teamwork? Meaningless corporate values? Talent magnet? Low corporate libido? Amazing relationships? Corporate Denial? What do you recognize? Need help? [email protected] ffirs.indd iii 26/07/2004, 09:14:48 ffirs.indd iv 26/07/2004, 09:14:48 Corporate Denial Confronting the world’s most damaging business taboo Will Murray wjm ffirs.indd v 26/07/2004, 09:14:48 Copyright © Will Murray 2004 The right of Will Murray to be identifi ed as the author of this book has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 First published 2004 by Capstone Publishing Limited (a Wiley Company) The Atrium Southern Gate Chichester West Sussex PO19 8SQ www.wileyeurope.com E-mail (for orders and customer service enquires): [email protected] All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except under the terms of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 or under the terms of a licence issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4LP, UK, without the permission in writing of the Publisher. Requests to the Publisher should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 8SQ, UK, or e-mailed to [email protected], or faxed to (+44) 1243 770571. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The Publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold on the understanding that the Publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. CIP catalogue records for this book are available from the British Library and the US Library of Congress ISBN 184112611X Typeset in 11/14pt Palatino by Sparks, Oxford – www.sparks.co.uk Printed and bound in Great Britain by TJ International Ltd, Padstow, Cornwall This book is printed on acid-free paper responsibly manufactured from sustainable forestry in which at least two trees are planted for each one used for paper production. Substantial discounts on bulk quantities of Capstone Books are available to corporations, professional associations and other organizations. For details, telephone John Wiley & Sons on (+44) 1243-770441, fax (+44) 1243 770571 or e-mail [email protected] ffirs.indd vi 26/07/2004, 09:14:48 To Annie For the love of a good woman! I love you for just being yourself. To George and Henry I love you not only for who you are but for who I am when I am with you. Believe in each other See everything there is to see Keep faith with God Be the best you can be. To Mum and Dad Thank you for your unceasing support and helping me to understand the importance of families. ffirs.indd vii 26/07/2004, 09:14:49 ffirs.indd viii 26/07/2004, 09:14:49