On taking them apart: 'hogs' and governance.

• Author: Kristie, James
• Position: LEADERSHIP

From Strategic Governance by Hank Boerner and Mark W. Sickles. Copyright 2010 by Mark W. Sickles. Published by Governance & Accountability Institute Inc. (www.ga-institute.com).

A FRIEND OF OURS once bought a brand new Harley Davidson motorcycle--the incomparable "Hog." The first thing he did was take it apart--completely--and then put it back together. We asked why.

His reply: "Because it deepened my understanding of how each part of this bike is designed to work in concert with the other parts, and how the combined effect is an overall capability that could not be achieved without careful attention to the alignment, linkage, and interdependence of these parts. I'll now be able to maximize the performance and sustainability of this bike, because I'll know how to repair or improve a part in ways that will repair and improve the whole."

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This is what we're going to do for you with the Universal Purpose of Corporate Governance: Break it down into its parts, see how the Top 10 Principles of the Strategic...