Learning to Use the Chainsaw

Freedom and democracy are only the first part; then one must learn to use these new ways of thinking.

John Conlin | April 1, 2026

Freedom and democracy are only the first part; then one must learn to use these new ways of thinking.

In my management consulting practice, I learned a valuable lesson; one that should be taken to heart as incipient freedom rapidly spreads -- hopefully -- across the globe. There are two parts to rebuilding any organization (or country). The first is the design and development of new systems. These are the new tools. This is an important process on which all future success rests. 

Poorly designed tools don’t achieve the desired goals. But of equal, if not greater importance is the second step, learning to use these new tools. If used improperly, the most magnificently designed tool will never achieve its goal. This process of failure, not in the design but in the use, cause difficulties that will reverberate throughout the organization (or country) and last for years. 

I have often used a lumberjack analogy to make this point. For years and years people cut down trees using hand saws and axes. Advances were made, like two-man buck saws (a large saw with a person working each side), but they were still the same basic technology. 

Then one day some smart consultant comes along and convinces some lumberjacks and jills there is a better way (he was a good salesman). After much hard work, arguing, and debating, a new tool for cutting down trees is designed; a gas-powered chainsaw. It’s the right tool for the right situation. It is presented to the other hardworking lumberjacks and jills with great fanfare. They are told how much better their lives will be. How much more they will be able to accomplish with less effort. How this will equate to a better job -- and life -- for each and every one of them. 

Because the workers look forward to the promise of a better life, they willingly buy into this new way of doing things (I told you the consultant was a good salesman!). Off they race; positive, energetic, ready for this new good life.  

But we haven’t trained them. So, what do they do? They attempt to use the new tool as they’ve always used the old one -- seems like a rational choice to me. They don’t start the chainsaws; they simply push and pull the chainsaw as they attempt to do their jobs. Needless to say, a chainsaw doesn’t work at all like this. It is not an improvement as promised, but is rather a huge step backwards.  

The lumberjacks and jills work much harder than before and accomplish much less. Their jobs and lives aren’t better, both are now much worse than before. There is now open revolt (again a logical move) and a demand to go back to the old ways. Even though the old ways might not have been very good, they were better than this!  

The poor consultant is tarred and feathered and ridden out of town on a rail (but, being a good salesman, with check in hand), and the organization goes back to the old ways with a sincere agreement, never again. Never again will they attempt something that stupid. Change isn’t a good thing; it is a bad thing which we will now fight with all our might. 

What is the moral of the story? Individuals don’t magically acquire the knowledge required to use new tools; they must be taught, shown, and convinced. New tools demand change in our thinking, in our actions, and how we perceive ourselves and others. And the only way to accomplish this change is through education; both formal and informal.

If we want freedom to race around the globe (and I put myself at the head of this line), and we want it to be a lasting change and not a one-time event, then we need to remember that freedom is only the first part. The second and more difficult part is promoting positive change through various types of education. Help these individuals design the new custom tool and then help them change themselves and others so they may use it to all its glory. 

Russia failed in this in the fall of the USSR. Iraq, Afghanistan… all failures. Hopefully Iran and Venezuela can turn out better. But that requires change, and those in power generally aren’t big fans of change. But without it you are just wasting your time.

This process is also required of new immigrants -- to this or any host country -- as they bring their pasts with them. Without a change in thinking, by will simply transplant their old -- and failed -- ways with them. See the Somalians in Minnesota for a perfect example.

This moral also applies to the problems of our inner cities and minority academic success, but this consultant is only offering one story, so that one will have to wait for another day.

John Conlin is an expert in organizational design and change. He also holds a BS in Earth Sciences and an MBA and is the founder and President of E.I.C. Enterprises. He has been published in American Greatness, The Federalist, The Daily Caller, American Thinker, Houston Chronicle, Denver Post, and Public Square Magazine among others.

Image: National Archives

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