180 words (2 minutes reading time) by Gordon Brittas

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In my days at the helm, I used the phrase ‘Commotion Inaction’ to describe behaviour like OECD.

It isn’t a recognised term (well, not yet) but its meaning is clear. ‘Commotion’ refers to a state of noisy or turbulent activity, often involving a lot of movement and noise. ‘Inaction’ means the failure to take necessary steps to address a situation.

Therefore, Commotion Inaction is when there is a lot of noise or activity, but no effective action is being taken. It describes a situation where people are busy but not achieving any meaningful results due to a lack of purposeful action.

Commotion Inaction is a lot of activity for no meaningful result.

Gordon Brittas

Feel free to use it.

Here are a few tips on how you use it in everyday workplace conversations:

1. “Are you saying we have tried it before without success and we are doing it again? It sounds like Commotion Inaction”.
2. “The bosses say just do it. They aren’t interested in the data to understand if it will work. Commotion Inaction, yet again!”
3. “This is going to be a difficult decision and there could be some real risks in making it. We need Commotion Inaction.”

Ah, its good to be back.