Setting Wrong Rules

by Pawel Brodzinski on July 16, 2008

The other day I wrote about setting rules and things which usually need to be done to have new arrangements working. However you’ll see some of your Great Ideas which you’ve implemented in the work environment don’t look as great as they appeared at the beginning.

What to do? Run in panic? No, not so clever. Pretend it’s all OK? Well, at least that way you don’t admit you’ve failed, but I wouldn’t say it’s worth to add everyone another dull task just to show you aren’t so great as you’d like to be. Change the rule? Oh yes, of course!

If something doesn’t work in your house you either fix it or throw it away. Why shouldn’t you do the same with processes in your work? Don’t force people to do unnecessary work or they’ll force you to look for replacements. It’s a fair deal, isn’t it?

And no, your reputation among team won’t be harmed. Quite the opposite.

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Mike Ramm July 16, 2008 at 1:17 pm

“If something doesn’t work in your house you either fix it or throw it away. Why shouldn’t you do the same with processes in your work?”

This is a really great argument, Pawel! I think many people just don’t think about it and we have to bring this question to their attention.

Pawel Brodzinski July 17, 2008 at 12:26 am

I find it quite interesting we treat differently things which should be improved in our private and professional lives.

It’s really hard to generalize why we’re reluctant to workplace improvements since usually our personalities play the main role and motivations are different. However results are usually similar – leaving things as they are.

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