Their approach exemplified the definition I am using for the term “process” in this article. Sure they were concerned about future outcomes. It was (and is) impossible not to be—it is part of the equation, but their attitudes and work ethic were most certainly weighted toward the idea of process over outcome.
As we move forward through time to today, we see a gradual but definite shift from the focus just described to one where behavior and attitudes become more outcome-centered. Gaining immediate gratification or short-term access to success has become a top priority.
Many are willing to seek out shortcuts toward what they want to “achieve” as concentration, focus, and effort move in the direction of the ends over the means, and all too often with little or no consideration of the risk or cost to oneself or to others.
In order to clarify and add credibility to the statements listed above, let me take a moment to list some fairly recent events supporting my conclusions:
a. Auto Manufacturers—Whether they want to admit it or not, the American auto industry has placed themselves in a position of possible non-existence, due in large part to their inability to see the “big picture.”
While their counterparts focused on the longer term process of building high quality automobiles that gave owners better gas mileage and provided an in-road to a more solid future for themselves, our short-term, outcome-based automakers concentrated their efforts on gas-guzzling SUV’s and luxury vehicles (something the short-term, outcome-based American consumer helped support).
In the end, it all boiled down to making money now
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