by Ray Keating
Commentary/Lessons
DisneyBizJournal.com
April 4, 2024
I’m not a fan of committees. I guess that’s part of the reason why I’ve had a home office since 1991 (!). Plus, in my life as an economist, I’ve seen too many wasteful committees in the world of policy and politics.
When it comes to the world of Disney, I might be in good company. It seems that Walt Disney and George Lucas shared a distaste for committees as well.
First, here’s a quote from Walt: “You can’t run anything by committee. Someone has to say, ‘We’ll go this way.’” Walt’s insight has been confirmed by my own work experiences for more than 35 years. Committees like to talk – eventually someone has to be in the position to make the call and move on. Walt the entrepreneur understood this.
But what about George Lucas? Consider the following exchange between Han Solo and Princess Leia in the midst of the action in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back…
“No time to discuss this as a committee.” - Han Solo
“I am not a committee.” - Princess Leia
That makes me laugh every time. It not only fits the characters, but it fits with the idea that committees talk things to death, and often-needed actions aren’t taken.
And finally, there’s another reference to committees in Star Wars. Queen Amidala in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace declares: “I will not defer. I've come before you to resolve this attack on our sovereignty now. I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee!”
We can understand her frustration. Although this last crack at committees didn’t work out so well, as it opened the door for Palpatine to gain power. Whoops.
Too often, committees, in politics, business and even churches, wind up being alternatives for taking action, and/or to placate some while nothing changes. I must admit, though, that in the world of politics, when action can mean costly and mistaken escapades are undertaken, the committee as a place where bad ideas go to die, as noted by Queen Amidala, can be a strange benefit of committees.
But other than that, the committee usually is a hindrance to moving forward.
Think about it. Have you ever been excited to serve on a committee, and go in thinking: “Ok, now we’re going to make things happen”? No. It seems that Walt Disney and George Lucas understood this – not surprising, again, given that each ranks as a great entrepreneur.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com; and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, the Alliance of Saint Michael novels, and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
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