Guessing is not a strategy: How to build decision velocity with AI and real-time data
June 10, 2026 | Live Webinar
In previous posts, I have warned you about how denial is harmful, yet pervasive. Just recently I explained that fun is a proven, important factor to keeping your workforce productive. Now there appears an article with a fun way to deal with one of the harmful forms of denial. The planets have aligned for us!
Jim Clemmer says that is it easier to break the ice and get real issues on the table if you use less threatening language. For those huge/scary/long-existing issues that no one wants to bring up when they should, Clemmer brings out his moose.
At meetings, he will ask “Is there a moose on the table?” to prompt a team to volunteer information that will identify the real issues so that these can be dealt with. This tactic counters the tendency for the big issues to be left out of the discussion because people are too polite, or, more likely, they are in the collective denial that we have discussed before. He warns them that the moose will grow larger, bread and make a larger herd. There’s just something funny about the word “moose.”
Notice that using the moose metaphor, adds a little fun – just what is needed. It gives the team a better sense of control over a difficult problem. He mentions other metaphors used by others. I like the salmon. “Is there a salmon on the table? We better deal with it before it starts to stink!” That let’s everyone know that you, the leader, have less fear over the issue, and so they feel more confident.
What’s your salmon? A chronic organizational obstacle that is slowing a team’s progress? A particular powerful individual who is interfering with a decision? Deal with issues like these by adding in a little fun!
Posted on: February 11, 2008 07:55 AM |
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