[ExGeeEye]

My experience is that once you have a "plan", a rulebook, a set of procedures, you have automatically built a box that's very hard to think outside of (horrible grammar). In fact, it may be literally a Federal Offense to act "outside the box". This squelches initiative and imagination, and no plan ever takes into account the unknowable.

I like to plan things in life; I have a plan for my upcoming housing situation. Those plans are fluid, however. For example, most of my moving is planned to be done piecemeal, with my little car, but I'll need a larger vehicle for my mattresses. I'm not going to rigidly say that I'll borrow a truck and move my mattresses on Dec. 17. How many things can you think of that would make that a really bad idea? I thought of three immediately.

I need more coffee.

[2Jedismom]

This has been a most intriguing conversation to read, first thing this morning! Reminds me of my trip to Falls Creek, where we were turned aside by FEMA at the gate. It took 500 people 24 hours to get the place set up...but 2300 Baptists showed up to help.

Now you may think "Too many people can actually slow things down" but I wonder. I mean, this is just slightly more than is in just ONE of the two morning worship services at my church...and I think they could moblize just fine.

Anyway, the whole thing fell through...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1484341/posts

I'm not sure what happened...the place was all set and ready for evacuees. A stuffed toy on each bed, even! The three bus-loads of evacuees that were on the way never materialized.

[Ramius]

Yah. Also, I didn't mean to say that there's no value in planning... of course there are things for which plans should be developed and followed.

But there are those times when the only needful thing is pure undistilled leadership, of the raised voice stabbing finger variety. I guess the art is in knowing the difference. :-)