I was tossing out some old files this weekend and out of one folder fell a document I’d seen 30 years ago. If you work for a company of any size that has “a plan” then this will surely resonate with you:

In the beginning was the Plan

And then came the Assumptions

And the Assumptions were without form

And the Plan was completely without substance

And darkness was upon the face of the Workers

And the Workers spoke unto their Supervisors and said,

“This is a pail of dung and we think it stinks.”

And the Supervisors went unto their Managers and said,

“This is a container of excrement, and it is very strong, such that none may abide by it.”

And the Managers went to their Directors and said,

“It is a vessel of fertilizer and none may abide by its strength.”

And the Directors went to their Vice-presidents and said,

“It contains that which aids growth and it is very strong.”

And the Vice-presidents went to the President and said,

“It promotes growth and is very powerful.”

And the president went to the Chairman and said,

“This powerful new Plan will actively promote the growth and the efficiency of the company.”

And the Chairman looked upon the Plan

And he saw that it was good

And the Plan became Policy.