Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

Yes, we accept a few things that aren’t great, but that’s okay. When, however, is enough enough?

Okay, we know this isn’t correct, but let’s let this little one slide in because it will make for peace in the big picture. You know, let someone see their idea implemented. They will feel better. Others will see that the organization is not stuck in the status quo. We will move on. This won’t cause much harm. The good will outweigh bad; well, sort of.

Then we do it again.

Then we do it again.

Then after X iterations, we are mired in complete nonsense.

How big a number is X? How do we stop short of X? What percent do we stop short before falling off the cliff?

Knowing the value of X is not as important as realizing what we are doing. The next person walks in the room with an idea that is sort of nonsense, but they say, “You accepted the other fella’s idea, why not mine as well.”

Stop. Work on the next person’s idea until it makes sense. Make a habit of changing sort of nonsense into perfectly good sense. Everyone (well almost everyone) is happier. We can do better.