The maturity of your organization markedly affects your ability to create a Quest Effect.  Let’s consider an organizational life-cycle model with three phases: start-up, expansion and maturity.  As the organization matures, the opportunity to quest diminishes.  By the time an organization enters maturity, the desire to pursue a quest is often overwhelmed by the need for stability and risk avoidance.  As this happens, the risk of moving into a period of decline intensifies.

More …

(more…)

Apparently, top leaders at Microsoft have called the organization to the quest.  Over the last few years, they have set up at least seventy internal “quests” in pursuit of strategic breakthroughs.  Information has surfaced from several sources including, the Associated Press, veteran Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley, Julie Lerman (reporting in End Bracket), and several employee blogs.  However, executives themselves appear reluctant to say much to the public about the quests.

I’ve read that these quests have been championed by Gates, Ballmer and the senior vice presidents.  According to Foley, in her book Microsoft 2.0, executives have called for quests in areas that they deem important to Microsoft’s future. Information on each quest is maintained in an internal wiki where employee contributions are also captured. 

The purpose of the quests can seem a bit vague.  Ballmer said that the quests are intended to make Microsoft less dependent solely on the visions of high-placed leaders.  Other executives have described the quests as a long-term planning tool.  My guess is that Gates has a grander vision. 

(more…)

Welcome to the Quest Effect web site and blog! I’m delighted that you visited. I want this site to address the interests of change leaders and possibility thinkers in business, organizations and institutions. If I left you out, please stick around – if you’re interested in the topic, then you are most welcome.

I created this site because I’m inspired by the idea of the Quest in business. I’m convinced that the Quest is the most powerful (and least understood) driver of breakthrough and transformation. I define the Quest is a journey of exploration and discovery in pursuit of a breakthrough that, when mastered, will have the power to renew and transform an organization.  You may know the Quest by other names such as Journey, Adventure or Exploration.

My mission is to encourage leaders to pursue the quest while resisting the siren song of safety, stability and equilibrium. I hope that, through the materials on this site, that I will encourage you to tap the power of the quest in your own organization.

I’m a management consultant, leadership coach, and presenter.  I’ve applied the principles of the Quest Effect for over a decade as I’ve guided dozens organizations on the Quest. I work with leaders and innovation teams in all types of organizations, from insurance companies to international airports, from hospitals to cruise lines. I’m also the author of the upcoming book, The Quest Effect, due out in early 2009.

Please check back for future posts. I’ll be blogging about the power of the Quest in business. I plan to share guidance for change leaders, stories about breakthrough Quests, rants on organizations’ failure to pursue the Quest, resources for launching your own Quest, interviews with provocative thinkers, wicked questions, and so on. I would be honored by your posted comments.

My commitment to you is that, if you continue to visit questeffect.com, you will never think about deep change, innovation and transformation in the same way again.

I plan to post at least weekly, so please check back often – or, better yet, subscribe with an RSS feed.

Let the Quest Begin!

Respectfully, Randall Benson

Quest Effect^® is a registered trademark of Randall Benson